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Voice of America, 99-05-28Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] NATO / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249918 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO SAYS IT HAS MADE A RECORD HIGH NUMBER OF AIRSTRIKES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. JOHN FRASER AT NATO HEADQUARTERS IN BRUSSELS REPORTS FAVORABLE WEATHER FORECASTS AND THE ARRIVAL OF MORE AIRCRAFT MEAN THE ALLIANCE IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY ITS ATTACKS. TEXT: NATO HAS STRUCK A SWEEPING RANGE OF STRATEGIC AND GROUND FORCE TARGETS IN NEARLY 800 SORTIES AGAINST YUGOSLAV FORCES IN KOSOVO AND AGAINST STRATEGIC TARGETS THROUGHOUT SERBIA. INSIDE KOSOVO, NATO SAYS ITS ATTACKS HIT AT LEAST 28 ARTILLERY PIECES, TWO TANKS, AN ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER, TWO MORTAR POSITIONS, SEVEN ANTI-ARTILLERY PIECES, AND TWO MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHER SYSTEMS. NATO SAYS OTHER TARGETS THROUGHOUT SERBIA INCLUDED ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION TOWERS AND TRANSFORMER YARDS, AIRFIELDS, AMMUNITION AND PETROLEUM STORAGE SITES, RADIO AND TELEVISION COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, HIGHWAY BRIDGES AND ARMY BARRACKS. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE LATEST ROUND OF STRIKES IS THAT THEY WERE NOT ONLY DIRECTED AGAINST WHAT HE CALLS A REPRESSIVE DICTATOR BUT ARE NOW AGAINST ONE WHO HAS BEEN FORMALLY INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT HAS BEEN BRIEFING NATO AMBASSADORS IN BRUSSELS ABOUT THE LATEST ROUND OF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, AS RUSSIAN ENVOY VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN IS HOLDING HIS FOURTH ROUND OF TALKS WITH PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC IN BELGRADE. MR. TALBOTT SAYS THAT THE ALLIES AND RUSSIA HAVE BEEN MAKING
PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING A JOINT STRATEGY. BUT HE SAYS THE REAL
QUESTION CONCERNS PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND WHAT HE IS PREPARED TO
DO TO ALLOW THE CRISIS TO MOVE FROM THE MILITARY TO THE
DIPLOMATIC PHASE. (SIGNED)
[02] NATO / KOSOVO (L UPDATE) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249934 CONTENT= VOICED AT: ///RE-ISSUES -- SORTIES STED AIRSTRIKES IN INTRO //INTRO: NATO PILOTS HAVE FLOWN ALMOST 800 SORTIES AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA -- A NEW RECORD HIGH FOR A 24-HOUR PERIOD. JOHN FRASER IN BRUSSELS REPORTS THE ALLIANCE PREDICTS THAT FAVORABLE WEATHER FORECASTS MEAN THAT IT CAN CONTINUE TO INTENSIFY ITS ATTACKS IN THE COMING DAYS. TEXT: NATO HAS STRUCK A WHOLE RANGE OF TARGETS IN ITS LATEST WAVE OF STRIKES AGAINST SERBIA. INSIDE KOSOVO, AT LEAST 20 ARTILLERY PIECES WERE HIT, ALONG WITH TWO TANKS, AN ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER, TWO MORTAR POSITIONS, SEVEN ANTI-ARTILLERY PIECES, AND TWO MULTIPLE ROCKET LAUNCHER SYSTEMS. OTHER TARGETS THROUGHOUT SERBIA INCLUDED ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION TOWERS AND TRANSFORMER YARDS NEAR BELGRADE, AIRFIELDS, AMMUNITION AND PETROLEUM STORAGE SITES, HIGHWAY BRIDGES, AND ARMY BARRACKS. THE WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN FAIR, AND NATO SAYS IT PLANS TO KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM. ALLIANCE SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA SAYS THE JUSTIFICATION FOR NATO'S ACTION HAS ONLY GROWN WITH THE DECISION (THURSDAY) BY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TO INDICT YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND FOUR OF HIS AIDES FOR WAR CRIMES. /// SHEA ACT ///PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS FINALLY SECURED HIS PLACE IN THE HISTORY BOOKS. YESTERDAY HE BECAME THE FIRST SITTING HEAD OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT IN HISTORY TO BE INDICTED FOR WHOLESALE WAR CRIMES, CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, INCLUDING MURDERS AND FORCED DEPORTATIONS. THIS MORNING THE PEOPLE OF YUGOSLAVIA HAVE WOKEN UP TO BE THE FIRST PEOPLE IN HISTORY TO LIVE UNDER THE RULE OF AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL. THE DECISION BY THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR THE FORMER YUGOSLAVIA UNDERSCORES THAT WHAT NATO IS DOING IS RIGHT. /// END ACT ////// OPT ////// OPT ///U-S DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT HAS BRIEFED NATO AMBASSADORS IN BRUSSELS ON THE LATEST ROUND OF DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO SECURE AN ACCORD, AS RUSSIAN ENVOY VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN HAS ARRIVED IN BELGRADE FOR HIS FOURTH ROUND OF TALKS WITH PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. MR. TALBOTT SAYS THE ALLIES AND RUSSIA HAVE BEEN MAKING PROGRESS IN FORMULATING A JOINT STRATEGY. BUT NATO CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT IT IS NOT PREPARED TO NEGOTIATE WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC. IT SAYS THE AIR STRIKES WILL BE ENDED ONLY AFTER THE YUGOSLAV LEADER HAS ACCEPTED ALL THE DEMANDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ON THE HUMANITARIAN FRONT, NATO SAYS IT WILL SUPPORT ALL EFFORTS
TO BRING AID TO DISPLACED PERSONS INSIDE KOSOVO. BUT MR. SHEA
SAYS HE SUSPECTS THAT AN UNACCEPTABLE SHARE OF THE FOOD WHICH HAS
SO FAR BEEN SENT HAS ENDED UP IN THE HANDS OF SERB FORCES.
(SIGNED)
[03] PEACEKEEPERS CAPTURED - S BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249932 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO PEACEKEEPERS IN SARAJEVO SAY YUGOSLAV FORCES ENTERED BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA AND CAPTURED A SIX MAN PATROL WEDNESDAY. THE "S-FOR" PEACEKEEPERS WERE RELEASED AFTER SEVERAL HOURS OF INTERROGATION. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE NEAR EASTERN TOWN OF RUDO. TEXT: A MILITARY SOURCE SAYS THE SIX MEN WERE DISARMED AND ROUGHED UP BY THE TIME THEY GOT BACK TO THEIR UNITS. THE HALF DOZEN SOLDIERS WERE INTERROGATED FOR ABOUT EIGHT HOURS AND THEN RELEASED. NATO OFFICIALS WILL NOT SAY WHAT NATION THE RECONNAISSANCE PATROL WAS FROM, BUT CALL THE YUGOSLAV ACTION A VIOLATION OF THE 1995 DAYTON PEACE ACCORD. ABOUT 32-THOUSAND NATO-LED TROOPS ARE IN THE STABILIZATION FORCE, OR S- FOR, WHICH IS HELPING MAINTAIN THE DAYTON ACCORD WHICH STOPPED FIGHTING IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. BOSNIA WAS ONCE A PART OF YUGOSLAVIA, AND BORDERS SERBIA WHERE
THE YUGOSLAV TROOPS IN THIS INCIDENT WERE BASED. (SIGNED).
[04] GASOLINE TO SERBIA (L) BY BARRY WOOD (IRON GATE, ROMANIA)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249924 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ROMANIAN CITIZENS ARE OPENLY TAKING GASOLINE INTO SERBIA DESPITE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO DEPRIVE SERBIA OF VITAL FUEL SUPPLIES. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD REPORTS FROM THE IRON GATE DAM, WHICH STRETCHES ACROSS THE DANUBE RIVER THAT FORMS THE BORDER BETWEEN ROMANIA AND YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: THE GASOLINE TRADE TAKES PLACE OPENLY WITH THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF THE ROMANIAN BORDER AUTHORITIES. ALL DAY AND INTO THE NIGHT, DOZENS OF ROMANIAN DACIA CARS LINE UP TO PASS THROUGH CUSTOMS AND TRAVERSE THE ROADWAY THAT LIES ATOP THE HUGE DJERDAP HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT SPANNING A 400-METER WIDE STRETCH OF THE DANUBE. THE DACIA CAR HAS A 40-LITER GASOLINE TANK. ON THE SERBIAN SIDE THE ROMANIAN VEHICLES, DESCRIBED BY OFFICIALS AS TOURISTS, ARE MET BY SERBIAN VEHICLES AND THE GASOLINE SIPHONED OFF. THE ROMANIANS SAVE ONE LITER OF FUEL, POURED BACK INTO THE TANK FROM A SODA CONTAINER, FOR THE JOURNEY HOME. THE FLOW OF VEHICLES ACROSS THE ROADWAY IS REGULATED SO THAT MOST CARS WAIT SEVERAL HOURS TO CROSS. THE PROFIT FROM THIS BUSINESS IS SUBSTANTIAL. THE FUEL IS PURCHASED ON THE ROMANIAN SIDE IN LOCAL CURRENCY AT THE EQUIVALENT OF ONE GERMAN MARK A LITER. IT IS SOLD IN SERBIA AT A 50 PERCENT MARK UP, PAYABLE IN GERMAN MARKS. THE PROFIT PER VEHICLE TRIP IS ABOUT 11 DOLLARS, A DECENT RETURN IN A REGION WHERE INCOMES AVERAGE 100 DOLLARS A MONTH. RESIDENTS ON THE ROMANIAN SIDE SAY THE TRANSIT BUSINESS HAS BEEN FLOURISHING FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. MANY ROMANIANS BELIEVE THE TRADE IS LEGAL SINCE THE TRAVELERS CROSS THROUGH AN OFFICIAL BORDER POST AND FUEL IN THE CAR'S TANK IS NOT CONSIDERED CONTRABAND. ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, ABOUT 70 DACIA CARS WERE WAITING TO CROSS INTO SERBIA. AT TEN O'CLOCK THAT NIGHT, EVEN MORE CARS WERE WAITING, WITH THE LINE BACKING UP ONTO THE ROAD WAY. THE DJERDAP POWER PLANT, JOINTLY OWNED BY YUGOSLAVIA AND ROMANIA, WAS COMPLETED IN 1972. THERE ARE POWER PLANTS ON EACH SIDE OF THE RIVER, EACH PRODUCING ONE-THOUSAND MEGAWATTS OF POWER. DJERDAP IS EASILY SERBIA'S BIGGEST SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY. THE YUGOSLAV VILLAGE OF KLADOVO IS CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE ROMANIAN SIDE OF THE DANUBE. INTO THE NIGHT, THE LIGHTS OF SERBIAN VEHICLES PRESUMABLY HEADED TO OBTAIN FUEL AT DJERDAP CAN BE EASILY OBSERVED. RIVER TRAFFIC IN THIS RUGGED STETCH OF THE DANUBE IS AT A HALT.
IN AN 18-HOUR PERIOD THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING, NOT ONE VESSEL
COULD BE SEEN GOING UP OR DOWN THE RIVER. (SIGNED)
[05] WAR IMPACT: HUNGARY-SERBIA BORDER BY BARRY WOOD (ROSZKA, HUNGARY)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43526 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: EARLIER THIS YEAR, NATO BROUGHT IN THREE NEW MEMBERS -- POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY -- IN THE BIGGEST EXPANSION OF THE ALLIANCE'S 50-YEAR HISTORY. MEMBERSHIP IN NATO HAS HAD LITTLE EFFECT ON DAILY LIFE FOR MOST POLES AND CZECHS, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE FOR HUNGARIANS: THEIR COUNTRY IS NOW A BASE FOR PLANES FLYING (RECONNAISSANCE AND OTHER MISSIONS) IN SUPPORT OF NATO'S ASSAULT ON SERBIAN FORCES IN YUGOSLAVIA, HUNGARY'S SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR. V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD, WHO IS AT THE SERBIAN BORDER, REPORTS THE CONFLICT OVER YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE HAS BROUGHT SOME DRAMATIC CHANGES TO A ONCE-TRANQUIL FARMING AREA IN HUNGARY. TEXT: /// SFX: TRACTOR ENGINE, IN AND UNDER ///STAND AT THE ROADSIDE NEAR THE VILLAGE OF ROSZKA AND ONE SEES A TYPICAL RURAL SCENE: TRACTORS RETURN FROM THE FIELD. A FARMER HOES HIS CROPS. SCATTERED HAYSTACKS DOT THE RICH HUNGARIAN FLATLAND. BUT WALK HALF A KILOMETER TO THE BORDER POST BETWEEN HUNGARY AND SERBIA, AND THE SCENE CHANGES. TAXIS AWAIT THE ARRIVAL OF A BUS FROM NOVI SAD (IN YUGOSLAVIA) -- A TRIP THAT NORMALLY TAKES ONLY 40 MINUTES BUT NOW LASTS MUCH LONGER. THE CAB DRIVERS SAY NATO PLANES DEPART FROM HUNGARY EVERY MORNING, HEADING SOUTH TOWARD SERBIA. SOON AFTER THE JETS TAKE OFF, THE DRIVERS SAY, THEY HEAR AIR-RAID SIRENS IN YUGOSLAVIA. TWO FORLORN-LOOKING WOMEN, WITH NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR A TAXI, WAIT FOR A BUS TO THE NEARBY HUNGARIAN TOWN OF SZGED. THEY ARE HUNGARIAN SPEAKERS WHO LIVE IN A SERBIAN VILLAGE, JUST ACROSS THE BORDER. ONE OF THE WOMEN MAKES CLEAR HER OPPOSITION TO NATO BOMBING. /// YUGOSLAV WOMAN ACT ///BOMBING IS NO GOOD. BAD FOR THE PEOPLE. IT IS GOOD ONLY FOR [YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC. PEOPLE HAVE NO JOBS. FABRIKS [FACTORIES] ARE CLOSED. THEY HAVE NOTHING. [IT IS] NO GOOD. /// END ACT ///THREE BUSES ARE PARKED BY THE SIDE OF ROAD AT THE HUNGARIAN BORDER. THE BUSES ARE CARRYING MORE THAN 80 ETHNIC SLOVAK CHILDREN FROM (THE YUGOSLAV PROVINCE OF) VOJVODINA TO SLOVAKIA. HUNGARIAN AUTHORITIES DETAINED THE BUSES AT THE BORDER FOR FOUR HOURS BECAUSE THE CHILDREN DID NOT HAVE VISAS TO PASS THROUGH HUNGARY. FINALLY, THE HUNGARIAN CUSTOMS OFFICIALS ALLOWED THE BUSES TO CROSS THROUGH HUNGARY. ONDREJ BUZALA, FROM THE SLOVAK RED CROSS, SAYS THE RESCUE MISSION SUCCEEDED IN BRINGING 84 CHILDREN OUT OF VOJVODINA. /// BUZALA ACT IN SLOVAK ///MR. BUZALA SAYS HIS MISSION SPENT THREE HOURS IN NOVI SAD, YUGOSLAVIA'S SECOND LARGEST CITY, WHERE THERE WAS NO ELECTRICITY AND NO WATER. A MEMBER OF THE RED CROSS GROUP, BOZINKA MILITIC, FROM THE SERBIAN VILLAGE OF ROMENKA, IS UPSET WITH THE LONG DELAY AT THE HUNGARIAN BORDER. /// MILITIC ACT IN GERMAN ///SHE EXPLAINS THERE ARE SICK PEOPLE IN THE GROUP, AND CUSTOMS OFFICIALS SHOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE BUSES TO PROCEED QUICKLY. THE WAR AND THE WESTERN SUSPENSION OF TRADE WITH YUGOSLAVIA IS CAUSING DIFFICULTY FOR HUNGARIAN GAS STATIONS AND STORES NEAR THE BORDER CROSSING. EDINA HALLE MANAGES A TRUCK STOP WITH A DOZEN AISLES OF GOODS -- BUT NO SHOPPERS. SHE SAYS HER ONLY CUSTOMERS NOW ARE DIPLOMATS WHO DRIVE UP FROM BELGRADE TO BUY FOOD AND CANDLES. /// HALLE ACT ///IT IS BAD. THEY HAVE NO WATER, NO ELECTRICITY. THEY COME TO BUY CANDLES AND LIGHTERS [FLASHLIGHTS]. /// END ACT ///IT USED TO BE, 20 YEARS AGO, THAT THE YUGOSLAVS WERE RELATIVELY
PROSPEROUS AND RELATIVELY FREE, WHILE THE HUNGARIANS WERE NOT.
NOW THINGS ARE REVERSED. THE HUNGARIANS ARE FREE AND RELATIVELY
PROSPEROUS. ON THEIR SIDE OF THE BORDER THE SHOPS HAVE MUCH TO
SELL. AND ON THE FARMS AT ROSZKA, THE GEESE AND CHICKENS SCRATCH
IN THE YARD AND LIFE GOES ON AS NORMAL. (SIGNED)
[06] ALBANIA/KOSOVO BORDER SITREP (S & L) BY NICK SIMEONE (TIRANA)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249953 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THERE ARE INCREASED TENSIONS ALONG KOSOVO'S BORDER WITH ALBANIA AFTER A DAY OF LIVE FIRE MILITARY EXERCISES BY THE ALBANIAN ARMY. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE REPORTS FROM TIRANA, THE UNITED NATIONS IS WORRIED INSTABILITY ALONG THE BORDER COULD PUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES IN THE AREA AT GREATER RISK. TEXT: FRIDAY SAW THE ALBANIAN ARMY IN ACTION. THE MILITARY EXERCISES NEAR THE KOSOVO BORDER MAY HAVE BEEN INTENDED AS A WARNING TO SERB FORCES JUST A FEW KILOMETERS AWAY. REPORTED FIGHTING BETWEEN THE SERB MILITARY AND KOSOVAR REBELS HAD SPILLED OVER THE BORDER EARLIER IN THE WEEK, WITH SERB SHELLING KILLING SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE ALBANIAN SIDE. THE UNITED NATIONS IS WORRIED THAT THE WAR IN KOSOVO COULD SPILL OVER THE BORDER WITH GREATER FORCE AND PLACE THE LIVES OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF KOSOVAR REFUGEES LIVING IN CAMPS IN KUKES AT RISK. U-N-H-C-R SPOKESWOMAN ARIANE QUENTIER. // QUENTIER ACT --OPT FOR LONG //ANYTIME YOU HAVE REFUGEE CAMPS WHICH ARE BESIDES THE BORDER, THEY ARE TAKEN HOSTAGE BY THE WARRING PARTIES. THEY ARE TAKEN BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF CIVILIANS WHO ARE VERY VULNERABLE. THEY ARE TAKEN HOSTAGE BY PEOPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER WHO MIGHT SHELL THEM, WHO MIGHT BOMB THEM. // END ACT --END OPT //NATO AND THE U-N-H-C-R CONTINUE TO MOVE REFUGEES AWAY FROM THE
BORDER TO CAMPS FURTHER INSIDE ALBANIA, WORRIED THAT THE KUKES
REGION COULD ITSELF BE TARGETED BY SERB GUNFIRE. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO / FEED THE HUNGRY (L-ONLY) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249951 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST TWO PRIVATE HUMANITARIAN AID GROUPS PLAN TO AIR DROP FOOD AND SUPPLIES TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HUNGRY PEOPLE HIDING IN THE FORESTS OF YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. PENTAGON OFFICIALS CALL THE MISSIONS HELPFUL -- BUT VERY DANGEROUS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS. TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMIE RUBIN SAYS THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS FOOD SHORTAGE IN KOSOVO, AND HE SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE -- A PRIVATE GROUP -- IS PLANNING TO PARACHUTE FOOD TO THE NEEDY SOON. A SIMILAR EFFORT BY SWISS, RUSSIAN AND GREEK AID GROUPS IS ALSO UNDER CONSIDERATION. /// RUBIN ACT ///WE THINK THAT THERE ARE RISKS. BUT WE ALSO THINK THERE ARE GAINS IF THE PLANES CAN BE FLOWN IN AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MEALS READY TO EAT, AND HUMANITARIAN DAILY RATIONS CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///AT LEAST ONE OF THE AID GROUPS HAS CONTACTED THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT FOR CLEARANCE TO FLY OVER THE SERBIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO. U-S AIR FORCE GENERAL CHUCK WALD CALLS THE AID EFFORT ADMIRABLE, BUT FEARS THE SLOW FLYING CARGO PLANES MIGHT BE SHOT DOWN BY SERBIAN AIR DEFENSES. HE SAYS NATO FORCES WILL STAY AWAY FROM THE AID PLANES, BUT CAN OFFER THEM NO PROTECTION OR HELP. THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE WILL USE TWO CIVILIAN PLANES,
AND DROP FOOD TWICE A DAY OVER KOSOVO. THE PLANES WILL AIM FOR
THE AREAS WERE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS
ARE BELIEVED TO BE. (SIGNED)
[08] MILOSEVIC / KOSOVAR REACTION (S/L) BY NICK SIMEONE (TIRANA)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249935 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARE REACTING TO THE INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC ON WAR CRIMES CHARGES RELATED TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. CORRESPONDENT NICK SIMEONE HAS BEEN GETTING THE VIEWS OF SOME REFUGEES IN ALBANIA. TEXT: THE TOP CONCERN OF NEARLY EVERYONE ASKED AT A REFUGEE CAMP IN TIRANA IS NOT THE FUTURE OF THE YUGOSLAV LEADER, BUT THEIR OWN PRIMARILY WHEN THEY CAN RETURN HOME TO YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE. STILL, ALL HAD STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT THE INDICTMENT HANDED DOWN THURSDAY. BUT SOME, LIKE THIS YOUNG WOMAN, ARE NOT EXPECTING PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC TO SURRENDER TO JUSTICE. // REFUGEE ACT IN ALBANIAN THEN FADE //SHE SAYS IT'S GOOD THAT HE'S BEEN INDICTED BUT, DON'T EXPECT HIM TO TURN HIMSELF IN. HE'LL ONLY SURRENDER IF HE'S FORCED TO. ANOTHER WOMAN AT THIS PARK, WHICH HAS BECOME A TENTED REFUGEE CAMP, BELIEVES INDICTMENT FOR WAR CRIMES IS NOT ENOUGH. // SECOND REFUGEE ACT IN ALBANIAN THEN FADE //HE SHOULD HAVE DONE TO HIM WHAT HE HAS DONE TO US, SHE SAYS. // REST OPT FOR LONG //HER YOUNGER SISTER SAYS THIS INDICTMENT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED A LONG TIME AGO. // THIRD ACT IN ALBANIAN THEN FADE //SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC CAN'T BE TRUSTED, SHE SAYS. HE HAS SHOWN WHAT KIND OF A PERSON HE IS. WEEKS AFTER THESE REFUGEES FLED KOSOVO, SOME ARE STILL TOO UPSET
TO SPEAK AT LENGTH. ONE MAN WHO SAYS HE WAS BEATEN BY SERB
FORCES COULD ONLY WAVE HIS ARMS ANGRILY AND USE GESTURES TO
DESCRIBE THE ATROCITIES HE WITNESSED BY SERBS BEFORE FLEEING TO
ALBANIA. (SIGNED)
[09] U-S / KOSOVO CRIMES (L-O) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249948 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE UNITED STATES HAS BARRED U-S FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM ANY DEALINGS WITH YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC OR OTHER SERB WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS. TEXT: THE U-S TREASURY DEPARTMENT ORDER PUTS MR. MILOSEVIC AND THE FOUR OTHER SERB LEADERS INDICTED BY THE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL INTO THE CATEGORY OF SPECIALLY-DESIGNATED PERSONS. UNDER U-S LAW, ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY THE FIVE WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS CAN BE SEIZED. U-S FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE BARRED FROM HAVING ANY DEALINGS WITH THE SUSPECTS. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN ACKNOWLEDGED THE DESIGNATION WAS LARGELY SYMBOLIC BECAUSE THE SUSPECTS ARE NOT BELIEVED TO HAVE ANY PROPERTY OR ASSETS IN THE UNITED STATES. // RUBIN ACT //BUT WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A MODEL FOR WHAT WE WOULD WANT ALL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD TO DO TO FOLLOW THE TRIBUNAL'S CALL ON COUNTRIES TO FREEZE THE ASSETS OF THESE FIVE INDIVIDUALS. // END ACT //THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL REQUESTED U-N MEMBER STATES FREEZE THE ASSETS OF MR. MILOSEVIC AND THE OTHERS THURSDAY WHEN THE INDICTMENTS WERE MADE PUBLIC. THE FIVE ARE ACCUSED OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, INCLUDING MURDER, ALLEGEDLY COMMITTED BY SERB TROOPS IN KOSOVO. // REST OPT //THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS RELEASED NEW SATELLITE PHOTOS THAT
INDICATE SERB FORCES HAVE BEEN DIGGING UP BODIES FROM MASS GRAVES
AND REBURYING THEM IN AN EFFORT TO THROW OFF WAR CRIMES
INVESTIGATORS. THE SATELLITE PHOTOS BACK UP REFUGEE ACCOUNTS OF
SERB FORCES TRYING TO HIDE EVIDENCE OF ETHNIC CLEANSING AND
MURDER. (SIGNED)
[10] GOLDSTONE / MILOSEVIC BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43528 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: THE U-N WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HAS INDICTED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. CORRESPONDENT ANDRE NESNERA SPOKE WITH THE TRIBUNALS' FORMER CHIEF PROSECUTOR - RICHARD GOLDSTONE -- ABOUT THE INDICTMENTS AND HE FILED THIS REPORT FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND FOUR OTHER SENIOR YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS WERE INDICTED ON CHARGES OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IN THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE HANDED DOWN THE INDICTMENTS ON MAY 27TH, CHARGING MR. MILOSEVIC WITH THE DEPORTATION OF 740-THOUSAND KOSOVAR ALBANIANS AND THE MURDER OF 340 OTHERS. RICHARD GOLDSTONE WAS THE TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR FROM 1994 TO 1996. DURING HIS TENURE, WAR CRIME INDICTMENTS WERE BROUGHT AGAINST BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS RADOVAN KARADZIC AND GENERAL RATKO MLADIC. AT THAT TIME, MR. GOLDSTONE ALSO LOOKED AT BRINGING SIMILAR CHARGES AGAINST MR. MILOSEVIC -- BUT NONE WERE FORTHCOMING. MR. GOLDSTONE SAYS IN BOSNIA'S CASE, IT WAS FAR MORE DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH A DIRECT CHAIN OF COMMAND BETWEEN MR. MILOSEVIC AND THE BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS. IN KOSOVO'S CASE, THERE IS NO SUCH DIFFICULTY. // GOLDSTONE ACT //ONE DOES NOT NEED A CIRCUMSTANTIAL CASE. ONE HAS GOT AN ARMY COMMITTING WAR CRIMES IN A COUNTRY WHERE ONE KNOWS WHO IS IN CHARGE. AND MILOSEVIC HAS NOT BEEN SHY IN CLAIMING THAT HE IS IN COMMAND OF HIS ARMY, THAT THEY CARRY OUT HIS INSTRUCTIONS. SO THE CHAIN OF COMMAND IS A FAIRLY SIMPLE ONE TO ESTABLISH. // END ACT //MR. MILOSEVIC'S INDICTMENT COMES AT A DELICATE TIME, WHEN DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO BRING AN END TO THE KOSOVO CONFLICT. QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN RAISED AS TO WHETHER WESTERN POWERS CAN NEGOTIATE WITH A LEADER INDICTED FOR WAR CRIMES. MR. GOLDSTONE SAYS THE WEST SHOULD HAVE NO QUALMS ABOUT NEGOTIATING WITH MR. MILOSEVIC. // SECOND GOLDSTONE ACT //FROM A PSYCHOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW, THE FACT THAT HE HAS BEEN INDICTED MAKES A DIFFERENCE. BUT FROM A MORAL POINT OF VIEW, I REALLY HAVE DIFFICULTY IN UNDERSTANDING WHY IF THEY WERE PREPARED TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM KNOWING WHAT HE HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR -- IF THEY WERE PREPARED TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM TWO DAYS AGO, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INDICTMENT SETTING OUT FACTS WHICH EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT. THERE IS NOTHING NEW IN THE INDICTMENT. // END ACT //MR. GOLDSTONE CONTINUES TO BE HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE WEST FOR NOT EXERTING SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE POLITICAL AND MILITARY WILL TO APPREHEND BOSNIAN SERB LEADERS KARADZIC AND MLADIC. HE SAYS CARRYING OUT ARREST WARRANTS IS A POLITICAL DECISION -- NOT A LEGAL ONE. // THIRD GOLDSTONE ACT //THE FACT THAT KARADZIC AND MLADIC REMAIN FREE MEN DETRACTS FROM THE CREDIBILITY OF THE TRIBUNAL VERY SERIOUSLY. BUT IT DOES HAVE ITS EFFECTS. LOOK AT THE EFFECT IT HAD ON (RADOVAN) KARADZIC. HE HAD TO GET OUT OF BEING LEADER OF HIS PEOPLE - OF REPUBLIKA SRPSKA [THE SERB GOVERNED HALF OF BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA]. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO GO TO DAYTON [IN OHIO -- WHERE THE BOSNIAN PEACE ACCORDS WERE NEGOTIATED IN 1995]. THE BOSNIAN SERBS HAD TO ACCEPT REPRESENTATION -- AS IT HAPPENS - IRONICALLY NOW - BY MILOSEVIC. SO IT DOES HAVE IMPORTANT EFFECTS ON THE GROUND -- POLITICAL AND PRACTICAL. // END ACT //AS FOR YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, MR. GOLDSTONE DOES NOT FORESEE HIS APPEARANCE BEFORE THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ANYTIME SOON. // FOURTH GOLDSTONE ACT //CLEARLY, AS LONG AS HE IS HEAD OF STATE, CLEARLY AS LONG AS HE IS PROTECTED BY HIS OWN SECURITY FORCES, HE IS NOT GOING TO STAND TRIAL AT THE HAGUE. BUT I DO NOT THINK IT IS FANCIFUL TO FORESEE, OR TO SUGGEST, A SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE OR NEAR FUTURE WHERE MILOSEVIC'S PRESENCE IN HIS OWN COUNTRY WILL BE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO A SUCCESSOR GOVERNMENT: A SUCCESSOR GOVERNMENT THAT IS A DECENT GOVERNMENT FROM THE MORAL POINT OF VIEW, A GOVERNMENT THAT WANTS TO REBUILD SERBIA [YUGOSLAVIA'S DOMINANT REPUBLIC], WANTS SERBIA TO RE-ENTER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. IT MAY WELL BE THAT FOR SUCH A GOVERNMENT, THE PRESENCE OF MILOSEVIC NOT HANDED OVER WOULD BE AN EMBARRASSMENT AND IT MAY BE THAT THAT WILL RESULT IN HIM STANDING TRIAL. // END ACT //FORMER WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL PROSECUTOR RICHARD GOLDSTONE REJECTS
YUGOSLAVIA'S VIEW THAT THE TRIBUNAL HAS NO JURISDICTION OVER
KOSOVO PROVINCE BECAUSE IT IS AN INTERNAL YUGOSLAV MATTER. HE
SAYS SUCH AN ARGUMENT COULD HAVE WORKED 50 YEARS AGO -- BUT SINCE
THE SECOND WORLD WAR, MR. GOLDSTONE SAYS INTERNATIONAL
JURISDICTION IN RESPECT TO WAR CRIMES HAS BEEN ACCEPTED
PRACTICALLY BY THE ENTIRE WORLD COMMUNITY. (SIGNED)
[11] RUSSIA / KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249913 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL BALKANS ENVOY, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, BEGINS PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN BELGRADE FRIDAY, DESPITE THE INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AS A WAR CRIMINAL. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT IN MOSCOW REPORTS MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS RECENT TALKS WITH WESTERN OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN LARGELY UNSUCCESSFUL. TEXT: BEFORE HE DEPARTED FOR BELGRADE, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN UNLEASHED SOME HARSH WORDS AIMED AT THE WEST. /// CHERNOMYRDIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///MR. CHERNOMYRDIN'S TRIP FOLLOWS TWO DAYS OF EXTENDED TALKS WITH VISITING EUROPEAN AND U-S OFFICIALS IN MOSCOW WHICH DID NOT LEAD TO ANY REPORTED BREAKTHROUGHS. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAID HE WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE TALKS. /// CHERNOMYRDIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///MR. CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS THE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE GONE ON NOW FOR MORE THAN ONE MONTH. AND HE SAYS IF THINGS CONTINUE LIKE THIS, THEN TALKS ARE USELESS. THE RUSSIAN ENVOY SAYS THAT WHILE IN BELGRADE, HE HOPES TO GET A BETTER SENSE OF THE YUGOSLAV POSITION AT PRESENT. /// OPT ///RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAY EFFORTS TO BROKER A PEACE DEAL HAVE BEEN COMPLICATED BY THURSDAY'S INDICTMENT OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AS A WAR CRIMINAL. BALKANS ENVOY CHERNOMYRDIN SAYS DESPITE THE CHARGES, HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC WILL NOT CHANGE. /// CHERNOMYRDIN ACT - IN RUSSIAN - FADE UNDER ///HE SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC IS THE LEGALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF YUGOSLAVIA. HE SAYS HE IS DEALING WITH HIM AS SUCH, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH HIM IN THE FUTURE A RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT CALLED THE INDICTMENT "POLITICALLY MOTIVATED" AND QUESTIONS WHY THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS NOT INVESTIGATED NATO BOMBING IN YUGOSLAVIA. /// REST OPT ///NEB/EC/JWH 28-May-99 5:34 AM EDT (0934 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America [12] RUSSIA / KOSOVO DIPLOMACY (S UPDATE) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249926 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: NEW INFO IN THIRD AND FOURTH GRAFS OF TEXT ///INTRO: RUSSIA'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE BALKANS, VIKTOR CHERNOMYRDIN, IS HOLDING PEACE NEGOTIATIONS IN BELGRADE (FRIDAY) DESPITE THE INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AS A WAR CRIMINAL. VOA'S EVEN CONANT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW. TEXT: BEFORE HE DEPARTED FOR BELGRADE, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN UNLEASHED SOME HARSH WORDS AIMED AT THE WEST: // CHERNOMYRDIN ACT -- IN RUSSIAN -- FADE UNDER //RUSSIAN NEWS AGENCIES REPORT THAT ON ARRIVAL IN BELGRADE, MR. CHERNOMYRDIN EXPRESSED REGRET TO PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC THAT FINNISH PRESIDENT MARTTI AHTISAARI DID NOT JOIN THEM FOR TALKS. NEWS REPORTS ALSO SAY MR. CHERNOMYRDIN PLANS TO CONTINUE TALKS WITH WESTERN OFFICIALS IN MOSCOW FOLLOWING FRIDAY'S MEETING IN BELGRADE. RUSSIAN OFFICIALS HAVE CONDEMNED THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES
TRIBUNAL FOR ITS INDICTMENT OF SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AS A WAR
CRIMINAL AND THEY PLEDGED TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH PRESIDENT
MILOSEVIC TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
[13] RUSSIAN/POLITICS (L) BY EVE CONANT (MOSCOW)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249943 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA'S NEW FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, FORMER FINANCE MINISTER MIKHAIL ZADORNOV, ABRUPTLY RESIGNED LATE FRIDAY LESS THAN ONE WEEK AFTER HIS APPOINTMENT. VOA'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM MOSCOW THAT HIS RESIGNATION COMES AMID WIDESPREAD SPECULATION IN THE RUSSIAN CAPITAL THAT BEHIND-THE-SCENES KREMLIN INFIGHTING IS HOLDING UP FORMATION OF RUSSIA'S NEW GOVERNING CABINET. TEXT: MR. ZADORNOV SAYS HE RESIGNED FROM HIS POST AS FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS BECAUSE HE COULD NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY HOLD HIS POST AS FINANCE MINISTER. HE ARGUED THAT THE FINANCE MINISTRY SHOULD PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE GOVERNMENT. /// ZADORNOV ACT IN RUSSIAN AND FADE UNDER ///BUT MR. ZADORNOV SAYS "UNFORTUNATELY, PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN DID NOT AGREE WITH THIS POSITION. THEREFORE I MUST RESIGN." HIS RESIGNATION WAS UNEXPECTED, BUT FEW HERE ARE SURPRISED BY THE TURMOIL. OPEN ANY RUSSIAN NEWSPAPER AND ALLEGATIONS ARE FLYING OVER WHO IS FIGHTING WHOM TO GET A POWERFUL SEAT IN RUSSIA'S NEW CABINET -- THE FOURTH IN LITTLE OVER ONE YEAR. THE 36-YEAR-OLD MR. ZADORNOV -- KNOWN AS TOUGH-MINDED LIBERAL -- HAD SERVED AS FINANCE MINISTER SINCE 1997. HIS PROMOTION TO FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER WAS WIDELY CONSIDERED TO BE A SIGNAL THAT THE NEW CABINET WOULD CONTINUE WITH MARKET-REFORM ECONOMIC POLICIES. HE HAD HELD THE POST FOR EXACTLY THREE DAYS. MR. ZADORNOV SEEMED TO BE AT ODDS WITH RUSSIA'S OTHER FIRST DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, NIKOLAI AKSYONENKO, WHO HAS MADE IT CLEAR HE PLANS TO AMASS AS MUCH POWER AS POSSIBLE. SOME ANALYSTS SAY MR. ZADORONOV'S RESIGNATION IS A SIGN THAT HE LOST A POWER PLAY WITH MR. AKSYONENKO. BUT VIKTOR KREMENYUK OF THE U-S BASED CARNEGIE FOUNDATION SAYS THE REAL ISSUE RUNS DEEPER THAN A FIGHT BETWEEN MINISTERS. HE SAYS THE UPHEAVAL IS CAUSED BY A CAMPAIGN BY PRESIDENT YELTSIN TO MAINTAIN POLITICAL CONTROL AHEAD OF PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. ///KREMENYUK ACT///YELTSIN WANTS TO MAKE HIS OWN TEAM OUT OF THE CABINET OF MINISTERS. PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE CABINET AS A NEW TEAM TO GOVERN THE ECONOMY, WHICH IS WRONG. THIS IS A NEW TEAM WHICH WILL BE GOVERNING ELECTIONS. AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT FIT INTO THAT PATTERN ARE KICKED OUT OR LEAVE. ///END ACT///MR. ZADORNOV'S RESIGNATION COMES ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER THE RUSSIAN
PRESIDENT FIRED HIS PRIME MINISTER AND HIS ENTIRE CABINET. NEW
PRIME MINISTER, SERGEI STEPASHIN, IS PRESENTLY TRYING TO REBUILD
THE CABINET, BUT IS STRUGGLING TO ASSERT POWER OVER SEVERAL NEWLY
APPOINTED MINISTERS. (SIGNED)
[14] EDITORIAL: RESPECTING THE RULES OF WARDATE= 05/30/99TYPE= EDITORIAL NUMBER= 0-08314 CONTENT=THIS IS THE ONLY EDITORIAL BEING RELEASED FOR BROADCAST 05/30/99. ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL REFLECTING AMERICAN IDEALS AND INSTITUTIONS. VOICE: YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS NOW BEEN INDICTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR WAR CRIMES AGAINST ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. THIS STEP MARKS YET ANOTHER ADVANCE IN THE CENTURIES-OLD STRUGGLE TO IMPOSE HUMANE LIMITATIONS ON MANKIND'S OLDEST SCOURGE -- WAR. THE RULES OF WAR ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. THEY ARE CONTAINED IN TREATIES LIKE THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS AND IN LONG-ESTABLISHED CUSTOMS. THE TRIALS OF NAZI WAR CRIMINALS MADE IT CLEAR THAT ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AGAINST THEIR OWN CITIZENS OR PERSONS OF ANY NATIONALITY WERE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. THE RULES OF WAR DEFINE WHO IS A SOLDIER OR COMBATANT AND THE RIGHTS OF COMBATANTS. THESE INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO HUMANE TREATMENT IF CAPTURED. THESE RIGHTS BELONG TO REBEL AND GUERRILLA FORCES AS WELL, SO LONG AS THEY, TOO, OBSERVE THE RULES OF WAR. THE CONDUCT OF WAR MUST BE GUIDED IN ALL CASES BY MILITARY NECESSITY. MILITARY FORCES MUST LIMIT THEIR ATTACKS TO LEGITIMATE MILITARY TARGETS AND MAKE EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO AVOID CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. TROOPS OCCUPYING HOSTILE TERRITORY MUST PROTECT CIVILIANS AND PERMIT THEM TO PURSUE THEIR PEACEFUL OCCUPATIONS. CIVILIANS FORFEIT THIS PROTECTION IF THEY TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST OCCUPATION FORCES. THE UNITED STATES HAS A LONG TRADITION OF UPHOLDING THE RULES OF WAR. SINCE THE TIME OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, VIOLATIONS OF THE RULES OF WAR BY AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN PUNISHABLE BY DEATH. IN THE CURRENT AIR CAMPAIGN IN YUGOSLAVIA, U.S. PILOTS, LIKE THEIR NATO COMRADES, ARE MAKING EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE TO PREVENT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES IN CARRYING OUT AIR STRIKES ON MILITARY TARGETS. TYRANNY AND OPPRESSION SOMETIMES MAKE WAR NECESSARY. BUT THE CRUELTY OF WAR CAN BE LIMITED. THAT IS WHY WAR CRIMES MUST BE EXPOSED AND THOSE WHO COMMIT THEM BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. ANNCR: THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL REFLECTING AMERICAN IDEALS AND
INSTITUTIONS. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS,
V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT
WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202)
619-1043.
[15] TURKEY POLITICS (L) BY AMBERIN ZAMAN (ANKARA)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249941 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TURKEY'S LEFTIST INTERIM PRIME MINISTER, BULENT ECEVIT, HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH AN ULTRANATIONALIST PARTY AND A CENTER-RIGHT PARTY TO FORM A COALITION GOVERNMENT. AS AMBERIN ZAMAN REPORTS FROM ANKARA, FRIDAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS MORE THAN A MONTH OF WHICH MR. ECEVIT SOUGHT TO SMOOTH OVER IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES WITH THE ULTRANATIONALIST NATIONAL ACTION PARTY. TEXT: UNDER THE AGREEMENT REACHED FRIDAY, MR. ECEVIT WILL REMAIN PRIME MINISTER. THE NATIONAL ACTION PARTY LEADER, DEVLET BAHCELI, WILL BECOME DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER. BUT THE LEADER OF THE CENTER RIGHT MOTHERLAND PARTY, MESUT YILMAZ, HAS DECIDED TO REMAIN OUT OF THE GOVERNMENT UNTIL HE IS CLEARED OF CORRUPTION CHARGES BY THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT. THERE ARE WIDESPREAD HOPES THE NEW GOVERNMENT WILL END YEARS OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY WHICH HAS PLAGUED TURKEY AND DELAYED CRUCIAL ECONOMIC AND DEMOCRATIC REFORMS. BUT SIMMERING IDEOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MR. ECEVIT AND MR. BAHCELI, SAY OBSERVERS, WILL NOT MAKE FOR AN EASY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THEIR TWO PARTIES. STREET VIOLENCE BETWEEN LEFT WING GROUPS -- SOME ALLIED WITH MR. ECEVIT -- AND RIGHT WING GROUPS LINKED WITH THE NATIONAL ACTION PARTY PROMPTED THE 1980 MILITARY TAKEOVER. ALTHOUGH BOTH GROUPS HAVE SINCE MOVED CLOSER TO THE POLITICAL CENTER, THEY DO NOT SEE EYE TO EYE STILL ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES. THE POTENTIALLY MOST DIVISIVE BEING THE ROLE OF ISLAM IN TURKISH SOCIETY. THE NATIONALISTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR LIFTING EXISTING CURBS ON THE ISLAMIC-STYLE HEAD SCARF IN STATE SCHOOLS. THE STAUNCHLY PRO-SECULAR ARMED FORCES REMAIN OPPOSED TO ITS USE IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, SAYING IT IS A SYMBOL OF ISLAMIC RADICALISM. STILL MR. ECEVIT HAS AGREED TO REINTRODUCING KORANIC COURSES
BANNED LAST YEAR IN LINE WITH AN ARMY-BACKED CRACK DOWN ON
ISLAMIC MILITANCY. THE GOVERNMENT WILL FACE A CONFIDENCE VOTE IN
THE PARLIAMENT NEXT WEEK, WHICH MOST ANALYSTS AGREE IT WILL
COMFORTABLY WIN. (SIGNED)
[16] N-Y ECON WRAP (S & L) BY BRECK ARDERY (NEW YORK)DATE=5/28/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-249949 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A REBOUND FROM THURSDAY'S BIG LOSS. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK. TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 559, UP 92 POINTS, ALMOST ONE PERCENT. FOR THE WEEK, THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST 270 POINTS OR ALMOST THREE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED FRIDAY AT 13 HUNDRED ONE, UP 20 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED TWO PERCENT. ANALYSTS SAY THERE WAS AN EXPECTED REBOUND AFTER THURSDAY'S STRONG SELL-OFF IN WHICH THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE LOST MORE THAN TWO PERCENT. VOLUME ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE FRIDAY WAS LOW AT JUST 650 MILLION SHARES. MANY TRADERS WORKED A SHORT DAY OR DID NOT WORK AT ALL IN ADVANCE OF THE THREE-DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN THE UNITED STATES. AMERICANS CONTINUE TO EXPRESS THEIR CONFIDENCE BY SPENDING MONEY. THE GOVERNMENT REPORTS CONSUMER SPENDING IN APRIL WAS UP FOUR-TENTHS OF ONE PERCENT. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///BILL SULLIVAN OF THE MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER INVESTMENT COMPANY EXPECTS CONSUMER SPENDING WILL PROBABLY REMAIN STRONG FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR. ///SULLIVAN ACT///CONSUMERS SEE A VERY VIBRANT JOB MARKET. THEY ARE VERY CONFIDENT THAT INCOMES WILL CONTINUE TO GROW. THEY DO NOT EXPECT ANY SUBSTANTIAL RISE IN INTEREST RATES. ///END ACT///THE U-S NAVY HAS EXPRESSED SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT LITTON INDUSTRIES' PROPOSED ONE POINT EIGHT BILLION DOLLAR TAKEOVER OF THE NEWPORT NEWS SHIPBUILDING COMPANY. THE NAVY SAYS THE DEAL WOULD SERIOUSLY REDUCE COMPETITION IN U-S MILITARY SHIPBUILDING. A STRIKE DEADLINE IS SET FOR MONDAY AGAINST 17 TRUCKING COMPANIES WHICH HAUL MOST OF THE NEW CARS AND TRUCKS SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES. A STRIKE BY THE DRIVERS COULD CAUSE HAVOC FOR THE AUTO INDUSTRY WHICH IS HOPING TO SET SALES RECORDS THIS YEAR. TEAMSTERS UNION PRESIDENT JAMES HOFFA WILL PERSONALLY TAKE CHARGE OF NEGOTIATIONS IN HOPES OF REACHING A SETTLEMENT THIS WEEKEND. RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS, THE EXCLUSIVE SUPPLIER OF BASEBALLS TO THE MAJOR LEAGUES, SAYS IT EXPECTS ITS QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL FALL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS. RAWLINGS CITES WEAKER-THAN-EXPECTED RETAIL DEMAND FOR ITS BASEBALL EQUIPMENT. ALTHOUGH MANY INTERNET-RELATED STOCKS CONTINUE TO BE WEAK, THERE
ARE EXCEPTIONS. SHARES OF STARMEDIA JUMPED MORE THAN 30 PERCENT
BECAUSE OF OPTIMISM ABOUT THE COMPANY'S PROSPECTS IN LATIN
AMERICA. STARMEDIA RUNS INTERNET SITES IN THE SPANISH AND
PORTUGESE LANGUAGES. AND THE STOCK OF INTERNET PORTAL YAHOO
JUMPED FIVE PERCENT AFTER THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED IT HAD COMPLETED
ITS ACQUISITION OF GEOCITIES, ANOTHER INTERNET SERVICE
COMPANY.(SIGNED)
NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
[17] MILOSEVIC INDICTED BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)DATE=05/28/99TYPE=U-S OPINION ROUNDUP NUMBER=6-11314 TELEPHONE=619-2702 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= INTRO: THE INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY IS DRAWING WIDE COMMENT IN U-S NEWSPAPERS. WE GET A SAMPLING OF THE EDITORIALS FROM ____________ IN TODAY'S U-S OPINION ROUNDUP. TEXT: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL (THURSDAY) INDICTED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC AND FOUR OTHERS ON CHARGES OF MURDER, DEPORTATION, PERSECUTION AND VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OF WARS FOR ACTIONS IN KOSOVO THIS YEAR. /// OPT /// THE YUGOSLAV LEADER IS THE FIRST SITTING HEAD OF STATE IN MODERN TIMES TO BE INDICTED BY AN INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL. /// END OPT /// THE WALL STREET JOURNAL HAS THIS COMMENT. VOICE: CHIEF PROSECUTOR LOUISE ARBOUR OF THE HAGUE WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL TOOK A BOLD STEP WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED THE INDICTMENT OF THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT AND FOUR OTHER HIGH-RANKING YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS. WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THEIR ARREST. ... THE HAGUE HAS WEIGHED THE COPIOUS EVIDENCE AND FOUND CAUSE TO CHARGE THE PRESIDENT OF YUGOSLAVIA WITH WHAT IS PERHAPS THE MOST HELLISH OF CRIMES, THE MASS MURDER OF INNOCENTS. TEXT: THOUGH IT MAY COMPLICATE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS, WRITES THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE INDICTMENT IS "JUST AND CONSONANT WITH THE BEDROCK PRINCIPLES OF A CIVILIZED INTERNATIONAL ORDER." THE TIMES ADDS THAT THOSE WHO COMMITTED CRIMES SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE: VOICE: DOING SO WILL NOT BE EASY, BUT THE DIFFICULTY IS NO REASON TO OPPOSE THE CHARGES OR THEIR TIMING. THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY RARELY MESH SMOOTHLY WITH POLITICAL REALITY, IN THIS INSTANCE THE NEED FOR NATO TO TALK AT LEAST INDIRECTLY WITH SERBIAN LEADERS ABOUT TERMS FOR ENDING THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA. TEXT: THE NATIONALLY DISTRIBUTED NEWSPAPER, U-S-A TODAY, WRITES IN ITS LEAD EDITORIAL THAT "THE REACTION TO THE INDICTMENT IN NATO CAPITALS WAS AMBIVALENT.... THAT'S BECAUSE COMPROMISE WITH (MR.) MILOSEVIC RATHER THAN VICTORY OVER HIM IS INCREASINGLY NATO'S GOAL." U-S-A TODAY ADDS: VOICE: NATO LEADERS MAY BE DISCOMFITED BY THE IMAGE THEY'LL STRIKE IF THEY NEGOTIATE WITH AN ACCUSED WAR CRIMINAL. BUT SUCH DISTASTEFUL COMPROMISES HAVE BEEN THEIR WAY OF DOING BUSINESS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS HYPOCRITICAL CAMPAIGN. THE U-S-A AND WESTERN EUROPE SAY THEY STAND RESOLUTELY AGAINST GENOCIDE, WHILE WATCHING (MR.) MILOSEVIC'S FORCES CARRY OUT EXACTLY SUCH ATROCITIES. BY EXPOSING THAT HYPOCRISY, THE TRIBUNAL'S CHIEF PROSECUTOR, LOUISE ARBOUR, MAY PROVE A MOST INCONVENIENT WOMAN. TEXT: ACCORDING TO THE MIAMI HERALD, THE HAGUE RULING IS "A RIGHTEOUS INDICTMENT." VOICE: UNQUESTIONABLY, THOUGH, THE INDICTMENT CHANGES THE CONFLICT. AS IN CHESS, IT PLACES (MR.) MILOSEVIC IN CHECK. HE NOW CAN TRAVEL OUTSIDE YUGOSLAVIA ONLY UNDER PAIN OF ARREST AND IS SEVERELY PRESSURED TO MAKE A MOVE -- EITHER TO ACCEPT EXTANT OVERTURES TO NEGOTIATE FOR PEACE OR FURTHER INSULATE HIMSELF WITH LIES AND BUTCHERY. BUT THE INDICTMENT ALSO PRESSURES THE UNITED STATES AND NATO. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS CONDITIONALLY OFFERED TO REOPEN NEGOTIATIONS WITH (MR.) MILOSEVIC IF (MR.) MILOSEVIC AGREES TO TOUGH TERMS. THE INDICTMENT WILL COMPLICATE THOSE NEGOTIATIONS. TEXT: THAT COMMENT FROM THE MIAMI HERALD CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING
OF U-S EDITORIAL COMMENT.
[18] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY GARY EDQUIST (WASHINGTON)DATE=05/28/99TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST NUMBER=6-11313 TELEPHONE=619-2702 EDITOR=ASSIGNMENTS CONTENT= //// EDS: MATERIAL DATED AFTER 10 P-M EST ////INTRO: NEWSPAPERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE WRITING ABOUT THE INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY; /// OPT /// THE SUPREME COURT RULES ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE NATION'S SCHOOLS /// END OPT ///; AND ANOTHER NEWSPAPER WRITES ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS BRINKMANSHIP IN KASHMIR. NOW, HERE WITH SOME EXCERPTS ON THESE AND OTHER COMMENTARIES FROM FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS IS _________________ AND THE EDITORIAL DIGEST. TEXT: THE LOS ANGELES TIMES SAYS THE "BLAME HITS (THE) RIGHT TARGET." THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL (THURSDAY) INDICTED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND FOUR OTHERS WITH MURDER, DEPORTATION, PERSECUTION OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND VIOLATION OF THE LAWS OF WAR FOR ACTIONS IN KOSOVO THIS YEAR. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES WRITES: VOICE: ...THE UNITED NATIONS WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL HAS PLACED PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY SERB FORCES AGAINST KOSOVARS PRECISELY WHERE IT BELONGS. AS HEAD OF STATE AND COMMANDER OF YUGOSLAVIA'S MILITARY AND POLICE UNITS, (MR.) MILOSEVIC IS RIGHTLY BEING HELD PERSONALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE MASS KILLINGS, RAPES AND EXPULSIONS THAT CONTINUE TO BE CARRIED OUT BY HIS FORCES. TEXT: ALSO FROM THE (U-S) WEST COAST, THE OREGONIAN NEWSPAPER (IN PORTLAND, OREGON) WRITES THAT "JUSTICE SEEMS TO BE WAIVING A TWO-EDGED SWORD" WITH THE INDICTMENT OF MR. MILOSEVIC. VOICE: ONE EDGE SEEMS TO BE STRIKING OUT AT (MR.) MILOSEVIC AND FOUR SENIOR AIDES. ... THE OTHER EDGE, THOUGH, CUTS AT THE POSSIBILITY OF SETTLING THE KOSOVO CONFLICT AND ENDING THE NATO BOMBING THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. NOT ONLY IS IT MUCH MORE DELICATE FOR NATO TO NEGOTIATE WITH AN INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL, IT ALSO WEAKENS WHATEVER INCLINATION (MR) MILOSEVIC MIGHT HAVE HAD TO COME TO TERMS. TEXT: THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IS ALSO PLEASED BY THE INDICTMENT OF THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT. VOICE: BY INDICTING SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC FOR WAR CRIMES, AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL HAS REMINDED THE WORLD WHAT'S AT STAKE IN KOSOVO. HIS FORCES HAVE SLAUGHTERED MANY INNOCENT CIVILIANS AND EXPELLED MORE THAN 700-THOUSAND KOSOVARS. TEXT: THE INQUIRER ALSO WRITES THAT THE INDICTMENT GOT NEGATIVE REVIEWS FROM OFFICIALS OF NATO COUNTRIES, INCLUDING FRANCE AND GREECE, BECAUSE IT MIGHT MAKE A PEACE AGREEMENT HARDER TO REACH. BUT THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY TRUE, ADDS THE INQUIRER, "IT'S EVEN POSSIBLE THE IMPACT WILL BE POSITIVE." MEANWHILE, THE BOSTON GLOBE IS ADDRESSING THE FIGHTING IN KASHMIR BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN. /// OPT /// INDIA SAYS ONE OF ITS HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS WAS SHOT DOWN BY A STINGER MISSILE FIRED FROM WITHIN INDIAN KASHMIR DURING A RAID ON WHAT IT CALLS PAKISTANI INFILTRATORS HOLED UP IN THE MOUNTAINS. PAKISTAN BROUGHT DOWN TWO INDIAN JET FIGHTERS (THURSDAY) AFTER PAKISTAN SAID THE PLANES VIOLATED THEIR AIR SPACE. /// END OPT /// THE GLOBE HAS THIS COMMENT ABOUT WHAT IT CALLS "BRINKMANSHIP IN KASHMIR." VOICE: INDIA'S AIR STRIKES ... IN KASHMIR AGAINST GUERRILLA INFILTRATORS FROM PAKISTAN REPRESENTS SOMETHING MORE THAN A PURELY REGIONAL SKIRMISH. THE INCURSION BY INDIAN HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS, BACKED BY FIGHTER JETS, DEMONSTRATES THAT NEITHER OF THE BELLIGERENTS FEELS COMPELLED TO AVOID MILITARY CONFRONTATIONS BECAUSE IT HAS BECOME AN OVERT NUCLEAR POWER IN THE PAST YEAR. ... THE CHANCES ARE THAT THE GOVERNMENTS IN NEW DELHI AND ISLAMABAD HAVE NO INTENTION OF PRECIPITATING A CRISIS THAT COULD LEAD TO A BRANDISHING OF THEIR NUCLEAR WEAPONS. NEVERTHELESS, BOTH ARE ACTING DANGEROUSLY OBTUSE. /// OPT ///TEXT: THIS WEEK THE U-S SUPREME COURT ISSUED A RULING ON STUDENT HARASSMENT IN SCHOOLS. IT IS A RULING, WRITES THE PORTLAND (MAINE) PRESS HERALD, THAT COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS. VOICE: THE U-S SUPREME COURT HAS EMBARKED ON A RISKY COURSE WITH A 5 - 4 RULING ALLOWING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO BE SUED FOR ACTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT COMMITTED BY STUDENTS. ... IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE ...THAT A MAJORITY OF THE COURT FOUND THAT SCHOOLS WERE OBLIGED TO SEE TO IT THAT STUDENTS ARE NOT SEXUALLY HARASSED BY OTHER STUDENTS. THE DECISION SETS A HIGH STANDARD FOR SUING A SCHOOL, BUT SOME WORRY THAT IT WILL STILL LEAD TO AN UNWARRANTED GOVERNMENT INTRUSION INTO THE CLASSROOM OR ONTO THE PLAYGROUND. /// END OPT ///TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES THIS SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM
FRIDAY'S U-S PRESS.
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