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Voice of America, 99-06-06Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA / BORDER (L) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250285 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: TALKS BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY LEADERS ON A TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO WERE BEING HELD FOR A SECOND DAY ON THE MACEDONIAN BORDER WITH KOSOVO. BUT AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, SERB SHELLING REMAINS A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE IN NORTHERN ALBANIA. TEXT: THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE REPORTED SUNDAY MORNING THAT PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE ALBANIAN BORDER TOWN OF KRUME (KROO' MAY) AFTER AN ATTACK BY SERB FORCES SATURDAY NIGHT. THE O-S-C-E SAYS BOTH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES FROM KOSOVO ARE DEPARTING ON FOOT AND BY VEHICLE AND HEADING TO THE TOWN OF KUKES (KOO' KES), THE GATEWAY TO THE REST OF ALBANIA. ALBANIAN OFFICIALS IN THE REGION HAVE PROVIDED TEN TRUCKS TO MOVE PEOPLE OUT OF KRUME, WHICH IS ABOUT EIGHT KILOMETERS WEST OF THE YUGOSLAV BORDER. EIGHT SHELLS LANDED IN THE CENTER OF THE TOWN OF KRUME LATE SATURDAY EVENING. AND THERE WERE INJURIES REPORTED WHEN THE NEARBY VILLAGE OF NIKOLIC (PRONO:NIKOLICH) WAS SHELLED EARLIER IN THE EVENING. THE O-S-C-E SAYS SERB FORCES FIRED INTO EVERY TOWN IN THE NORTHERN ALBANIAN DISTRICT OF HAS (HAHSS), UNTIL NATO PLANES ATTACKED THEIR FIRING POSITIONS IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. THE AIR ATTACK IN THE AREA CONTINUED THROUGHOUT SATURDAY NIGHT. PENTAGON AND NATO OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT THE ALLIANCE WILL KEEP BOMBING UNTIL SERB FORCES MOVE OUT. NATO OFFICIALS AND YUGOSLAV GENERALS WERE MEETING FOR A SECOND DAY SUNDAY ON THE BORDER BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND MACEDONIA TO SPELL OUT EXACT TERMS FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB TROOPS FROM KOSOVO. PREPARATIONS ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE A 49-THOUSAND-STRONG
PEACEKEEPING FORCE INTO THE AREA. (SIGNED)
[02] ALBANIA SHELLING (S-O) BY AMY BICKERS (TIRANA)DATE=6/5/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250278 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: DESPITE APPARENT PROGRESS IN THE TALKS ON TROOP WITHDRAWALS FROM KOSOVO, THE FIGHTING CONTINUED SATURDAY, WHEN SERB FORCES SHELLED SEVERAL NORTHERN ALBANIAN BORDER TOWNS. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA, EIGHT SHELLS EXPLODED IN KRUME, LATE IN THE EVENING, ABOUT EIGHT KILOMETERS FROM THE SERB BORDER. TEXT: SERBIAN ARTILLERY FIRED, LATE SATURDAY EVENING, INTO THE NORTHERN ALBANIAN TOWN, KRUME, WHICH IS CROWDED WITH REFUGEES. INTERNATIONAL MONITORS REPORTED EIGHT SHELLS LANDED DOWNTOWN AT ABOUT 10 PM.. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED IN THE SHELLING. INTERNATIONAL MONITORS ALSO REPORTED ARTILLARY FIRE AROUND FOGAJ. NATO JETS BOMBED SERB FORCES NEAR THE ALBANIAN BORDER, WHERE
SERBS WERE FIGHTING ETHNIC ALBANIAN GUERRILLAS FROM THE KOSOVO
LIBERATION ARMY. (SIGNED).
[03] BELGIUM/FOOD SCARE (L ONLY) BY JOHN FRASER (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250288 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: BELGIUM IS AT THE CENTER OF THE BIGGEST EUROPEAN FOOD SCARE SINCE THE MAD-COW CRISIS. IT FOLLOWS THE CONTAMINATION OF A VAST RANGE OF FOODS BY A DEADLY CHEMICAL. JOHN FRASER REPORTS FROM THE BELGIAN CAPITAL BRUSSELS. TEXT: BELGIAN INVESTIGATORS NOW KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, BUT THEY ARE STILL NOT SURE HOW IT HAPPENED. FAT CONTAINING DEADLY DIOXIN WAS USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL FEED, WHICH WENT TO ONE IN FOUR BELGIAN POULTRY FARMS, AS WELL AS BEEF, DAIRY, AND PORK HOLDINGS. THE TOXIC CHEMICAL WAS USED FROM THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY, AND ITS PRESENCE WAS ONLY DETECTED AFTER COMPLAINTS BY FARMERS WHO SAID THEIR HENS WERE NOT LAYING PROPERLY. BELGIAN MINISTERS RECEIVED CONFIRMATION THAT DIOXIN WAS TO BLAME AT THE END OF APRIL, BUT DID NOTHING ABOUT IT FOR A MONTH. ONCE THE NEWS WAS MADE PUBLIC, THE MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE AND OF PUBLIC HEALTH WERE FORCED TO RESIGN, AND THE MANAGERS OF THE FACTORY WHERE THE CONTAMINATED ANIMAL FEED WAS PRODUCED WERE ARRESTED. AN INVESTIGATION IS STILL CONTINUING TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THE CONTAMINATION BY DIOXIN, WHICH CAUSES CANCER, WAS ACCIDENTAL OR DELIBERATE. THE SCANDAL HAS BEEN HEADLINE NEWS FOR 10-DAYS, SINCE THE BELGIAN MEDIA REPORTED FIRST THAT CHICKEN AND EGGS MIGHT BE HARMFUL, THEN THAT BEEF, PORK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS WERE ALSO UNDER SUSPICION. STORES WERE ORDERED TO STOP SELLING THESE FOODS, ONE AFTER ANOTHER. BEEF AND PORK WITH A HIGH FAT CONTENT, AND PRODUCTS SUCH AS SAUSAGES WHICH CONTAIN THESE MEATS, ARE STILL BANNED, AND THE ONLY CHICKEN MEAT AND EGGS WHICH CAN BE SOLD MUST BE CERTIFIED TO HAVE COME FROM A FARM WHICH DID NOT PURCHASE OR USE THE CONTAMINATED ANIMAL FEED. IN THE PAST FEW DAYS, SALES IN BELGIUM OF NON-BELGIAN FOODS HAVE SOARED AND HEALTH FOOD STORES AND SHOPS WHICH SPECIALIZE IN IMPORTED PRODUCE HAVE REPORTED RECORD SALES. ALL EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO SEARCH OUT AND DESTROY CONTAMINATED BELGIAN FOOD, AND MANY COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES AND SINGAPORE, HAVE BANNED VARIOUS FOOD IMPORTS FROM EUROPE. THIS CRISIS COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME FOR THE COALITION GOVERNMENT OF PRIME MINISTER JEAN LUC DEHAENE. A WEEK FROM NOW, THE BELGIAN PEOPLE WILL BE VOTING IN REGIONAL, NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS. MOST POLITICAL COMMENTATORS ARE PREDICTING THAT THERE WILL BE A BACKLASH AGAINST WHAT THEY SAY IS THE SLOW AND CLUMSY WAY IN WHICH THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT HAS HANDLED THE LATEST FOOD CRISIS. BELGIANS STILL RESENT THE SIMILARLY SLOW AND INEFFICIENT WAY IN
WHICH THE BELGIAN POLICE AND JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES TRACKED DOWN A
GANG OF PAEDOPHILES WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MURDER AND
TORTURE OF SEVERAL YOUNG CHILDREN. (SIGNED)
[04] KOSOVO REFUGEES MENTAL HEALTH BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT NUMBER=5-43590 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NEARLY ONE-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE WAITING TO BEGIN THE TRIP BACK HOME TO KOSOVO, ONCE SERBIAN TROOPS MOVE OUT OF THE PROVINCE AND AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE GOES IN. WHILE THE REFUGEES' BASIC NEEDS FOR FOOD AND SHELTER ARE BEING MET IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES, AID OFFICIALS AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS SAY MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS REQUIRE ATTENTION AS WELL. AMI BICKERS REPORTS FROM TIRANA IN NORTHERN ALBANIA TEXT: EACH KOSOVAR REFUGEE HAS A HEARTBREAKING STORY TO TELL. THEY SPEAK OF DEAD OR MISSING RELATIVES, DESTROYED HOMES, AND THEIR ANGUISH OVER BEING FORCED FROM KOSOVO. SHQIPE, FROM THE VILLAGE OF RAHOVIC, IS LIVING IN A TENT WITH HER HUSBAND, THREE CHILDREN, AND ANOTHER FAMILY IN A REFUGEE CAMP IN SOUTHWEST ALBANIA. /// SHQIPE ACT ///YOU UNDERSTAND ME, IT IS TERRIBLE. WHAT WE SEE IN THE KOSOVO, IT IS TRAGIC. WE HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING, JUST MY SPIRITS /// END ACT ///BUT AID WORKERS STRESS THAT SOME REFUGEES' DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY OVER WHETHER THE WAR WILL END IS NOW BEING REPLACED BY FEARS OVER WHAT THEY WILL FIND WHEN THEY RETURN TO THEIR VILLAGES AND TOWNS. AN OFFICIAL WITH THE AID ORGANIZATION CARE, LISA WOODBURY, SAYS THE REFUGEES MUST CONTINUE THEIR DAILY LIVES IN THE CAMPS AND WITH HOST FAMILIES BY STAYING OCCUPIED AND PRODUCTIVE. THAT INCLUDES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS COOKING MEALS, HOUSEHOLD CHORES, AND ATTENDING SCHOOL. /// WOODBURY ACT ///NOT ONLY DO THEY NEED SOMETHING TO DO, BUT THEY NEED A SENSE OF OWNERSHIP AND A SENSE OF BELONGING. THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IS WHEN THEY ARE GIVEN 100-PERCENT OF THEIR NEEDS. /// END ACT ///THE TRAUMAS MANY REFUGEES HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED, AND CONCERNS OVER WHAT IS YET TO COME HAVE PLUNGED SOME INTO DEEP DEPRESSIONS. AFFRIM DANGELLIA, CHIEF PSYCHIATRIST AT TIRANA'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, IS CURRENTLY TREATING 50 KOSOVAR REFUGEES -- ALL IN PATIENTS AT HIS CLINIC. HE SAYS MANY SHOW SYMPTOMS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER INCLUDING EXHAUSTION, INSOMNIA, AND PAINS IN THE LEGS, SHOULDERS AND BACK. HE PREDICTS MORE REFUGEES WILL DEVELOP SIMILAR PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH THE END OF THE WAR MAY BE IN SIGHT. /// DANGELLIA ACT ///I THINK THEY WILL DEVELOP A LOT OF MENTAL PROBLEMS WHEN THEY GO BACK. THEY WILL FACE THE REAL REALITY. WHEN THEY SEE THE HOUSES DESTROYED, AND GARDENS DESTROYED, AND SCHOOLS DESTROYED, AND ALL THE INSTITUTIONS DESTROYED THEY CAN DEVELOP MANY NEUROTIC REACTIONS AND DEPRESSIVE REACTIONS. /// END ACT ///DR. DANGELLIA SAYS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE HOW MANY KOSOVAR REFUGEES WILL SUFFER FROM EMOTIONAL ILLNESSES AS A RESULT OF THE CRISIS. HIS TEAM OF PSYCHIATRISTS IS TRYING TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, AND HE ADMITS THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHO NEED TREATMENT IS FAR GREATER THAN WHAT HIS CLINIC, ALONG WITH ALBANIA'S FOUR PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, CAN HANDLE. EACH WEEK HE DISPATCHES THREE STAFF MEMBERS TO LOCAL CAMPS TO WORK WITH MORE REFUGEES ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS. SOME PATIENTS ARE TREATED WITH DRUGS SUCH AS VALIUM AND OTHER TRANQUILIZERS. ONLY A SMALL NUMBER RECEIVES COUNSELING, SINCE THERE ARE VIRTUALLY NO PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN ALBANIA. THE PROFESSION WAS OUTLAWED BY FORMER COMMUNIST DICTATOR ENVER HOXHA (PRON: HOJA). DR. DANGELLIA SAYS HE WORRIES ABOUT HOW HIS PATIENTS WILL FARE ONCE THEY ARE ABLE TO RETURN HOME AND MAY HAVE TO FACE THEIR AGGRESSORS. /// DANGELLIA ACT ///IT IS IMPOSSIBLE I THINK FOR TWO RACES, SERBIAN AND ALBANIAN KOSOVARS TO LIVE TOGETHER. THIS CAN BE IMPOSSIBLE, IT SHOULD BE FORGOTTEN. PEOPLE CANNOT LIVE WITH THEIR ENEMY WHO DESTROYED THEIR HOUSE, WHO BURNED THEIR HOUSE, WHO TOOK PART IN THE SERBIAN POLICE. FOR ME AS A PSYCHIATRIST IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. /// END ACT ///DR. DANGELLIA SAYS SOME FOREIGN MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS FROM
EUROPE AND THE UNITED STATES HAVE COME TO THE AREA TO TREAT
REFUGEES SUFFERING FROM EMOTIONAL DISORDERS. HE IS HOPEFUL THAT
MORE WILL ARRIVE AS THE REFUGEES RETURN, TO HELP THEM TRY TO
REBUILD THEIR LIVES. (SIGNED)
[05] KOSOVO-COHEN-SHELTON (L) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250295 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS BELGRADE HAS SENT SOME HIGHER-RANKING GENERALS TO TROOP WITHDRAWAL TALKS IN MACEDONIA (SUNDAY). MR. COHEN SAYS HE HOPES THESE OFFICIALS CAN SPEED DISCUSSIONS ALONG, BECAUSE NATO BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL DETAILS ARE RESOLVED AND SERB MILITARY UNITS START LEAVING KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE TALKS ARE TAKING MANY HOURS BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY DETAILS TO WORK OUT -- INCLUDING EXACTLY WHICH SERB TROOPS WILL LEAVE BY WHICH ROUTES, AT WHAT TIME. THE PULLOUT WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR A 50-THOUSAND TROOP PEACEKEEPING FORCE CALLED "K-FOR". NATO SAYS SERB FORCES MUST PULL THEIR ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS OUT FIRST, AND GET ALL 40-THOUSAND SOLDIERS, PARA-MILITARY FIGHTERS AND POLICE OUT OF THE PROVINCE IN A WEEK. THE SERB SIDE REPORTEDLY WANTS 10-DAYS. IN AN INTERVIEW ON U-S TELEVISION (ABC) MR. COHEN SAYS NATO IS USING THESE TALKS TO MAKE THE DETAILS OF ITS DEMANDS CLEAR, NOT NEGOTIATE WITH THE SERBS. /// COHEN ACT ///WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANY KIND OF DELIBERATE POLICY OF DELAYING DAY-BY-DAY. WHATEVER THE TIME FRAME IS WE HAVE TO SATISFY OURSELVES THAT IT CAN BE A RAPID WITHDRAWAL SO THERE CAN BE A RAPID RETURN. /// END ACT ///NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE EAGER TO GET MORE THAN ONE-MILLION DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO BEFORE THE SEVERE BALKAN WINTER BEGINS. MR. COHEN SAYS IT WILL TAKE MONTHS FOR PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO ESTABLISH PEACE SO AID GROUPS CAN ORGANIZE SHELTER FOR MANY DISPLACED PEOPLE. HE SAYS JUST CLEARING AWAY DEADLY MINES AND BOOBYTRAPS (HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES DESIGNED TO MAIM OR KILL) WILL TAKE TIME. MEANWHILE, CONTINUED FIGHTING IS REPORTED BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE K-L-A, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WILLINGNESS OF THE 17-THOUSAND MEMBER GUERRILLA FORCE TO "DEMILITARIZE" UNDER THE AGREEMENT WITH THE SERB FORCES. /// COHEN ///THAT (DEMILITARIZATION) WOULD PRECLUDE THE K-L-A FROM ORGANIZING, TRAINING, OPERATING AS UNITS, AND ANY HEAVY WEAPONS THEY MIGHT HAVE THEY WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP. BUT IT (THE AGREEMENT) DID NOT TALK ABOUT GOING DOOR TO DOOR TO FIND PISTOLS OR OTHER TYPES OF LIGHT WEAPONS. DEMILITARIZE IN THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AS AN EFFECTIVE MILITARY ORGANIZATION. /// END ACT ///AMERICA'S TOP GENERAL, HUGH SHELTON SAYS THE RURAL, AGRARIAN
NATURE OF KOSOVO WOULD MAKE IT UNREALISTIC FOR PEACEKEEPING
TROOPS TO TRY TO DISARM K-L-A FIGHTERS. (SIGNED).
[06] KOSOVO-COHEN-SHELTON (L) BY JIM RANDLE (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250295 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS BELGRADE HAS SENT SOME HIGHER-RANKING GENERALS TO TROOP WITHDRAWAL TALKS IN MACEDONIA (SUNDAY). MR. COHEN SAYS HE HOPES THESE OFFICIALS CAN SPEED DISCUSSIONS ALONG, BECAUSE NATO BOMBING WILL CONTINUE UNTIL DETAILS ARE RESOLVED AND SERB MILITARY UNITS START LEAVING KOSOVO. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS THE TALKS ARE TAKING MANY HOURS BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY DETAILS TO WORK OUT -- INCLUDING EXACTLY WHICH SERB TROOPS WILL LEAVE BY WHICH ROUTES, AT WHAT TIME. THE PULLOUT WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR A 50-THOUSAND TROOP PEACEKEEPING FORCE CALLED "K-FOR". NATO SAYS SERB FORCES MUST PULL THEIR ANTI-AIRCRAFT WEAPONS OUT FIRST, AND GET ALL 40-THOUSAND SOLDIERS, PARA-MILITARY FIGHTERS AND POLICE OUT OF THE PROVINCE IN A WEEK. THE SERB SIDE REPORTEDLY WANTS 10-DAYS. IN AN INTERVIEW ON U-S TELEVISION (ABC) MR. COHEN SAYS NATO IS USING THESE TALKS TO MAKE THE DETAILS OF ITS DEMANDS CLEAR, NOT NEGOTIATE WITH THE SERBS. /// COHEN ACT ///WE ARE NOT GOING TO ALLOW ANY KIND OF DELIBERATE POLICY OF DELAYING DAY-BY-DAY. WHATEVER THE TIME FRAME IS WE HAVE TO SATISFY OURSELVES THAT IT CAN BE A RAPID WITHDRAWAL SO THERE CAN BE A RAPID RETURN. /// END ACT ///NATO OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE EAGER TO GET MORE THAN ONE-MILLION DISPLACED ETHNIC ALBANIANS BACK TO THEIR HOMES IN KOSOVO BEFORE THE SEVERE BALKAN WINTER BEGINS. MR. COHEN SAYS IT WILL TAKE MONTHS FOR PEACEKEEPING FORCES TO ESTABLISH PEACE SO AID GROUPS CAN ORGANIZE SHELTER FOR MANY DISPLACED PEOPLE. HE SAYS JUST CLEARING AWAY DEADLY MINES AND BOOBYTRAPS (HIDDEN EXPLOSIVES DESIGNED TO MAIM OR KILL) WILL TAKE TIME. MEANWHILE, CONTINUED FIGHTING IS REPORTED BETWEEN SERB FORCES AND THE REBEL KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY, THE K-L-A, RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WILLINGNESS OF THE 17-THOUSAND MEMBER GUERRILLA FORCE TO "DEMILITARIZE" UNDER THE AGREEMENT WITH THE SERB FORCES. /// COHEN ///THAT (DEMILITARIZATION) WOULD PRECLUDE THE K-L-A FROM ORGANIZING, TRAINING, OPERATING AS UNITS, AND ANY HEAVY WEAPONS THEY MIGHT HAVE THEY WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP. BUT IT (THE AGREEMENT) DID NOT TALK ABOUT GOING DOOR TO DOOR TO FIND PISTOLS OR OTHER TYPES OF LIGHT WEAPONS. DEMILITARIZE IN THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO FUNCTION AS AN EFFECTIVE MILITARY ORGANIZATION. /// END ACT ///AMERICA'S TOP GENERAL, HUGH SHELTON SAYS THE RURAL, AGRARIAN
NATURE OF KOSOVO WOULD MAKE IT UNREALISTIC FOR PEACEKEEPING
TROOPS TO TRY TO DISARM K-L-A FIGHTERS. (SIGNED).
[07] KOSOVO/DIPLOMACY Q&A BY SUZANNE KELLY (KUMANOVO, MACEDONIA)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250299 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: YUGOSLAV GENERALS SO FAR HAVE REFUSED TO SIGN A SIX-PAGE PLAN FOR WITHDRAWAING SERB TROOPS FROM KOSOVO AS TALKS ON IMPLEMENTING THE PEACE DEAL ARE BOGGED DOWN. THE TALKS -- AT KUMANOVO IN NORTHERN MACEDONIA -- ARE BEING HELD BETWEEN NATO AND YUGOSLAV MILITARY OFFICERS. SUZANNE KELLY IS AMONG THE REPORTERS AT THE SCENE COVERING THE TALKS, AND SPOKE WITH VOA'S TOM CROSBY ABOUT THE SITUATION. TEXT: CROSBY: HAVE TALKS BROKEN DOWN ENTIRELY?
KELLY: THEY HAVEN'T BROKEN DOWN ENTIRELY YET, BUT I WOULDN'T BE
SURPRISED IF THAT HAPPENS ANY TIME SOON BECAUSE NATO'S
FRUSTRATION IS INCREASING AS THE WEEKEND DRAWS ON AND NOW, HERE
IN MACEDONIA AS MONDAY MORNING DRAWS NEAR. THIS WAS NEVER
SUPPOSED TO BE A TWO-DAY NEGOTIATION PROCESS. NATO MADE IT CLEAR
FROM THE BEGINNING THAT THIS WAS SIMPLY NOT A NEGOTIATION, IT WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE A QUICK MEETING TO EXPLAIN THE DETAILS AS EXACTLY
HOW THE SERB FORCES NEEDED TO WITHDRAW FROM KOSOVO, GET A
SIGNATURE TO A DOCUMENT, 24 HOURS LATER THE BOMBING WOULD STOP.
THAT WAS THE PLAN BUT IT HAS NOT HAPPENED THAT WAY. NOW, THERE
WAS A PAUSE EARLIER, SUNDAY AFTERNOON, WHEN THERE WAS A BREAK FOR
ABOUT AN HOUR AND A RUSSIAN DELEGATION CAME IN. WE'RE TOLD THAT
HELPED THE TALKS A LITTLE BIT BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT ENOUGH TO
ENCOURAGE THE SERBS TO SIGN THIS ORDER. SO NOW, NATO HAS TOLD US
THAT THIS ABSOLUTELY A LAST CHANCE KIND OF THING -- THEY'RE
GIVING BELGRADE A FEW MORE HOURS TO RECONSIDER, AS THEY PUT IT.
CROSBY: IF THEY'RE GIVING THEM TIME TO RECONSIDER THERE MUST BE
SOME KIND OF 'OR ELSE' (A THREAT) ATTACHED TO IT. WHAT WILL
HAPPEN IF THEY DON'T RECONSIDER?
KELLY: ONE THING FOR SURE THAT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT THE NATO
BOMBINGS WILL CONTINUE. NOW, ANOTHER THING THAT WE'RE HEARING
SOME ECHOES OF TODAY HERE, AND THAT ALSO HAS BEEN HEARD IN
BRUSSELS, IS THAT THE NATO BOMBING CAMPAIGN WILL INTENSIFY. IT'S
DIFFICULT TO KNOW AS WELL. I WAS SPEAKING WITH A NATO SPOKESMAN
EARLIER TODAY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF GROUND TROOPS OF MOVING
IN IF SOMETHING DOESN'T HAPPEN. THEY ARE INCREASING THEIR FORCES
IN MACEDONIA BUT THEY STILL WON'T CONFIRM OR SAY THAT THEY HAVE A
PLAN ON THE TABLE FOR MOVING GROUND TROOPS IN FROM HERE, ALTHOUGH
YOU CAN DEFINITELY TELL THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE AIR HERE THAT
THIS WILL NOT BE SAME AFTER THIS WEEKEND. SOMETHING IN THIS WAR
WILL CHANGE.
CROSBY: DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE RUSSIANS BROUGHT TO THE
TABLE WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON THE SCENE?
KELLY: NO WE DON'T. IN FACT, THE DELEGATION'S ARRIVAL WAS NOT
EVEN ANNOUNCED TO THE PRESS HERE. I GOT IT JUST A LITTLE BIT
EARLIER FROM AN UNNAMED SOURCE THAT THE DELEGATION WAS GOING TO
ARRIVE. IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHAT THEY BROUGHT TO THE TALKS,
EXCEPT PERHAPS WHAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE BROUGHT ALL ALONG: WHICH IS
A ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE AND A CHANCE TO PLAY A NEGOTIATING ROLE IN
THIS.
[08] NATO-KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250286 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO HAS KEPT UP ITS LOW INTENSITY BOMBING OF SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO AS IT WAITS FOR SIGNS THAT THE SERBS ARE WITHDRAWING BACK TO SERBIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS. TEXT: NATO IS READY TO DECLARE A PAUSE IN ITS BOMBING BUT HAS SEEN NO SIGN OF A SERB TROOP WITHDRAWAL. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA NOTES SERB TROOPS CONTINUE TO FIRE MORTARS INTO ALBANIAN TERRITORY IN THEIR BATTLE AGAINST THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. NATO AIRCRAFT HAVE SHARPLY REDUCED THEIR AIR STRIKES OVER YUGOSLAVIA BUT DID BOMB 14 ARTILLERY POSITIONS OF THE SERB TROOPS IN KOSOVO. MR. SHEA SAYS NATO WILL KEEP BOMBING UNTIL THERE ARE UNMISTAKABLE SIGNS THAT THE SERB TROOPS ARE STARTING THEIR PULLOUT. ///SHEA ACT///THE LINKAGE HERE IS EXTREMELY SIMPLE; THE SOONER THE SERBS ACCEPT AND BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN, THE SOONER THE NATO BOMBING CAN STOP AND THE SOONER, OF COURSE, THE SERB FORCES CAN GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. ///END ACT///THE SUSPENSION OF BOMBING IS EXPECTED AS SOON AS NATO SEES
SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF SERB TROOPS LEAVING ALONG THE PRESCRIBED
ROUTES AND TIMES. (SIGNED)
[09] NATO-KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (BRUSSELS)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250286 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO HAS KEPT UP ITS LOW INTENSITY BOMBING OF SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO AS IT WAITS FOR SIGNS THAT THE SERBS ARE WITHDRAWING BACK TO SERBIA. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM NATO HEADQUARTERS. TEXT: NATO IS READY TO DECLARE A PAUSE IN ITS BOMBING BUT HAS SEEN NO SIGN OF A SERB TROOP WITHDRAWAL. NATO SPOKESMAN JAMIE SHEA NOTES SERB TROOPS CONTINUE TO FIRE MORTARS INTO ALBANIAN TERRITORY IN THEIR BATTLE AGAINST THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. NATO AIRCRAFT HAVE SHARPLY REDUCED THEIR AIR STRIKES OVER YUGOSLAVIA BUT DID BOMB 14 ARTILLERY POSITIONS OF THE SERB TROOPS IN KOSOVO. MR. SHEA SAYS NATO WILL KEEP BOMBING UNTIL THERE ARE UNMISTAKABLE SIGNS THAT THE SERB TROOPS ARE STARTING THEIR PULLOUT. ///SHEA ACT///THE LINKAGE HERE IS EXTREMELY SIMPLE; THE SOONER THE SERBS ACCEPT AND BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN, THE SOONER THE NATO BOMBING CAN STOP AND THE SOONER, OF COURSE, THE SERB FORCES CAN GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. ///END ACT///THE SUSPENSION OF BOMBING IS EXPECTED AS SOON AS NATO SEES
SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF SERB TROOPS LEAVING ALONG THE PRESCRIBED
ROUTES AND TIMES. (SIGNED)
[10] RUSSIA/YUGOSLAVIA (L ONLY) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=6/6/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250292 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIAN OFFICIALS ARE COMPLAINING THAT NATO IS IGNORING MOSCOW'S CONCERNS AS THE ALLIANCE PUSHES AHEAD WITH A KOSOVO PEACE DEAL. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THE KREMLIN IS PREPARING A VIGOROUS DEFENSE OF ITS INTERESTS AT THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL. TEXT: PRIME MINISTER SERGEI STEPASHIN VOICED DEEP RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE KOSOVO PEACE PROCESS. HE TOLD REPORTERS WHILE -- A VERY IMPORTANT STEP HAS BEEN MADE TOWARD A SETTLEMENT, SO FAR TOO MANY QUESTIONS ARE BEING SOLVED WITH NATO SETTING THE TERMS. THE PRIME MINISTER'S COMPLAINT MASKS A FAR DEEPER ANGER WITHIN RUSSIA'S DEFENSE AND FOREIGN POLICY ESTABLISHMENTS. CRITICS HAVE REACTED FURIOUSLY TO BALKANS ENVOY VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN'S FAILURE TO FORCE NATO TO ACCEPT MOSCOW'S MAIN DEMAND, WHICH IS AN IMMEDIATE HALT TO THE BOMBING CAMPAIGN AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA. DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER AVDEYEV REPORTEDLY TOLD A CLOSED PARLIAMENTARY HEARING LAST WEEK THAT MR. CHERNOMYRDIN -- GAVE UP WHAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN UP. /// OPT ///PRIME MINISTER STEPASHIN SUNDAY SUGGESTED RUSSIA WOULD DEMAND A PRIMARY ROLE IN THE SEARCH FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION ON KOSOVO. HE TOLD REPORTERS -- OUR MAIN TASK IS PREPARING AS SERIOUSLY AS WE CAN FOR THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION. ONE OF THE MAIN STICKING POINTS AT THE UNITED NATIONS IS CERTAIN TO BE THE COMPOSITION OF A MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO OVERSEE THE RETURN OF KOSOVO ALBANIAN REFUGEES. PLANS CALL FOR A UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE WITH NATO AS THE CORE. BUT RUSSIA INSISTS ITS TROOPS WILL NOT SERVE UNDER NATO. /// OPT ///PRESIDENT YELTSIN, EVER AWARE OF SHIFTS IN PUBLIC OPINION, APPEARS TO HAVE SIDELINED MR. CHERNOMYRDIN FOLLOWING THE ENVOY'S RETURN FROM BELGRADE LAST THURSDAY. THE TWO MEN HAVE NOT MET, AND THE ONLY BRIEFING MR. YELTSIN RECEIVED ON THE TRIP WAS BY TELEPHONE. INSTEAD, THE RUSSIAN LEADER HELD A RARE SATURDAY MEETING IN THE KREMLIN WITH FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV, KNOWN FOR HIS COMPARATIVE HARDLINE ANTI-NATO STANCE DURING THE AIR STRIKES. AFTER THE MEETING, MR. IVANOV TOLD REPORTERS HE HAD BEEN GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY TO COORDINATE RUSSIA'S POSITION ON THE KOSOVO CRISIS. MONDAY, MR. IVANOV FLIES TO GERMANY FOR TALKS WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS FROM THE SEVEN LEADING INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS. THEY WILL BE TRYING TO FINALIZE A KOSOVO RESOLUTION THAT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL, WHERE RUSSIA -- AS A PERMANENT MEMBER -- HAS VETO POWER. BUT THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S GATHERING IS EXPECTED TO BE
CONTENTIOUS. MR. IVANOV SATURDAY SERVED NOTICE RUSSIA WOULD
REFUSE TO BUDGE ON THE KEY POINTS, ESPECIALLY ON THE MAKEUP OF A
PEACEKEEPING FORCE. HE TOLD REPORTERS MOSCOW WOULD ONLY CONSIDER
PARTICIPATING -- IF IT COINCIDES WITH OUR INTERESTS, AND WITH
EFFORTS TO REVIVE YUGOSLAVIA. (SIGNED)
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