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Voice of America, 99-06-12Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>CONTENTS
[01] ALBANIA / BREAD (L-ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES, ALBANIA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250566 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AT KUKES, ON THE ALBANIAN BORDER WITH KOSOVO, A HUGE WHITE TENT EMITS THE SCENT OF FRESHLY-BAKED BREAD. THE TENT IS A LARGE MOBILE BAKERY WHICH PRODUCES BREAD FOR KOSOVAR REFUGEES LIVING IN SURROUNDING CAMPS. AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM KUKES. TEXT: WHILE ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES IN KUKES WAIT TO RETURN TO KOSOVO, THEY CAN AT LEAST ENJOY A TASTE OF HOME. A MOBILE BAKERY SET UP THE BRITISH CHARITY "WARCHILD" PRODUCES 12-THOUSAND LOAVES OF BREAD EACH DAY. THEY ARE DISTRIBUTED TO CAMPS ACROSS THE KUKES AREA, WHERE MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE NOW LIVING. IAN WIELMAN, A VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR FOR WARCHILD, SAYS THE BREAD IS MADE TO THE SAME RECIPE COMMONLY USED IN KOSOVO. /// WIELMAN ACT ///IN MANY PARTS OF THE BALKANS, BREAD IS REALLY THE MAIN PART OF THE DIET. THE ALBANIAN BREAD IS JUST NOT THE SAME AS THE KOSOVAN BREAD -- IT'S TERRIBLY DIFFERENT. /// END ACT ///THIRTY-SEVEN KOSOVAR REFUGEES ARE EMPLOYED AT THE BAKERY, ALONG WITH SEVERAL ALBANIAN WORKERS AND VOLUNTEERS FROM BRITAIN. MOHAMMED, A REFUGEE FROM THE TOWN OF PRIZREN, WAS A BAKER IN BOSNIA BEFORE HE FLED TO ALBANIA. HE IS NOW ONE OF THE CHIEF BAKERS IN THE WARCHILD BAKERY /// MOHAMMED ACT IN ALBANIAN, IN AND FADE UNDER ///HE SAYS THE BAKERY IS VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HELPS THE REFUGEES, HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS. AND WITHOUT BREAD, HE SAYS, PEOPLE CAN NOT LIVE. TIM DAVIES, AN ENGINEER WHO HELPED BUILD THE BAKERY AND MAINTAINS ITS LARGE OVENS AND MIXERS, SAYS HIS CUSTOMERS APPRECIATE THE KOSOVAR-STYLE BREAD, A REMINDER OF THE LIVES THEY HOPE THEY WILL SOON RETURN TO. /// DAVIES ACT ///THEY COME UP AND THANK US ALL THE TIME. IT'S A VERY GOOD FEELING THAT HAVE FOUND SOMETHING AND CAN SUPPLY THEM WITH SOMETHING THAT JUST PUTS A SMILE ON THEIR FACE EVERY DAY. /// END ACT ///ONCE THE REFUGEES GO BACK TO KOSOVO, THE MOBILE BAKERY WILL BE
TAKEN APART AND SET UP THERE AS WELL. BUT INSTEAD OF ONE LARGE
OPERATION IT WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SIX INDEPENDENT UNITS WHICH
WILL PROVIDE BREAD FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE PROVINCE AS
THEY BEGIN TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES. (SIGNED)
[02] ALBANIA/K-DAY (S ONLY) BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES, ALBANIA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250560 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PREPARATIONS ARE UNDER WAY FOR THE FIRST NATO TROOP MOVEMENT INTO KOSOVO FROM ALBANIA. AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM THE BORDER TOWN OF KUKES, 25-HUNDRED GERMAN TROOPS ARE SET TO LEAD A CONVOY TO THE TOWN OF PRIZREN IN KOSOVO. TEXT: WHILE MOST NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCES ARE ENTERING KOSOVO FROM MACEDONIA, ON SUNDAY 25-HUNDRED GERMAN TROOPS ARE SCHEDULED TO ENTER THE PROVINCE FROM NORTHERN ALBANIA. BEHIND THE TROOPS WILL BE TRUCKS CARRYING FOOD AND OTHER AID FOR THE 600-THOUSAND DISPLACED PEOPLE INSIDE KOSOVO. IT WILL BE GERMANY'S LARGEST MILITARY DEPLOYMENT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO AND WILL INCLUDE LAND-MINE DETECTION EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS 28 LEOPARD-TWO BATTLE TANKS WHICH WILL BE IN USE FOR THE FIRST TIME GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER JOSCHKA FISCHER DESCRIBED THE OPERATION AS GERMANY'S MOST DANGEROUS MILITARY MISSION IN THE POST-WAR ERA. THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT HAS APPROVED (FRIDAY) THE DEPLOYMENT OF
85-HUNDRED TROOPS TO TAKE PART IN THE 50-THOUSAND-STRONG
INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
[03] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250565 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS PRAISED THE COURAGE OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND URGED THEM NOT TO SEEK REVENGE ON SERBS IN KOSOVO AS THEY PREPARE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND. AS CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, MR. CLINTON MADE THOSE REMARKS IN A TAPED ADDRESS TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS. TEXT: MR. CLINTON TOLD ETHNIC ALBANIANS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS FAILED IN HIS EFFORTS TO ERASE THEIR CULTURE, HISTORY AND THEIR PRESENCE FROM THEIR HOMELAND. SOME 800,000 KOSOVAR ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE TO ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO IN THE FACE OF MR. MILOSEVIC'S CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BUT AFTER 11 WEEKS OF NATO AIR STRIKES AND AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN YUGOSLAV LEADERS AND WESTERN POWERS, AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE HAS BEGUN TO SPREAD-OUT THROUGHOUT KOSOVO. IN HIS ADDRESS, MR. CLINTON SAID HE UNDERSTANDS HOW ANXIOUS THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE TO RETURN TO KOSOVO. /// FIRST CLINTON ACT ///BUT BEFORE YOU DO, WE MUST BE CERTAIN ALL THE SERBIAN FORCES HAVE LEFT, AND SEE TO IT THAT INTERNATIONAL FORCES ARE IN PLACE THROUGHOUT KOSOVO. WE MUST START CLEARING THE LAND MINES -- SOME OF WHICH MAY BE IN YOUR HOMES, IN YOUR COMMUNITY BUILDINGS, ALONG ROADS AND BRIDGES. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD, WATER AND SHELTER TO MEET YOUR NEEDS, AND WE MUST URGENTLY NEED TO REACH THE DESPERATE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE HILLS AND FORESTS OF KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///MR. CLINTON CALLED ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHEN THEY RETURN TO KOSOVO, NOT TO SEEK REVENGE ON SERBS LIVING THERE. /// SECOND CLINTON ACT ///AS YOU PREPARE TO GO HOME, I KNOW YOU HAVE MANY REASONS TO BE BITTER AND FULL OF ANGER. BUT I ASK YOU NOT TO LET MR. MILOSEVIC HAVE THE VICTORY OF SEEING YOUR SPIRITS BROKEN AND YOUR HEARTS TURNED TO STONE. NO-ONE SHOULD DO TO THE ETHNIC SERBS WHO LIVE IN KOSOVO, WHAT THEIR LEADERS DID TO YOU. DO NOT PROVE MR. MILOSEVIC RIGHT THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE INEVITABLY ENEMIES. NO HUMAN BEING SHOULD EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ENDURE. /// END ACT ///PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON PRAISED THE COURAGE OF THE KOSOVAR ETHNIC
ALBANIANS AND SAID THOSE WHO HAVE PERPETRATED CRIMES AGAINST THEM
WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. (SIGNED)
[04] CLINTON / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250565 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS PRAISED THE COURAGE OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS AND URGED THEM NOT TO SEEK REVENGE ON SERBS IN KOSOVO AS THEY PREPARE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND. AS CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, MR. CLINTON MADE THOSE REMARKS IN A TAPED ADDRESS TO ETHNIC ALBANIANS. TEXT: MR. CLINTON TOLD ETHNIC ALBANIANS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS FAILED IN HIS EFFORTS TO ERASE THEIR CULTURE, HISTORY AND THEIR PRESENCE FROM THEIR HOMELAND. SOME 800,000 KOSOVAR ETHNIC ALBANIANS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE TO ALBANIA, MACEDONIA AND MONTENEGRO IN THE FACE OF MR. MILOSEVIC'S CAMPAIGN OF ETHNIC CLEANSING. BUT AFTER 11 WEEKS OF NATO AIR STRIKES AND AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN YUGOSLAV LEADERS AND WESTERN POWERS, AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE HAS BEGUN TO SPREAD-OUT THROUGHOUT KOSOVO. IN HIS ADDRESS, MR. CLINTON SAID HE UNDERSTANDS HOW ANXIOUS THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE TO RETURN TO KOSOVO. /// FIRST CLINTON ACT ///BUT BEFORE YOU DO, WE MUST BE CERTAIN ALL THE SERBIAN FORCES HAVE LEFT, AND SEE TO IT THAT INTERNATIONAL FORCES ARE IN PLACE THROUGHOUT KOSOVO. WE MUST START CLEARING THE LAND MINES -- SOME OF WHICH MAY BE IN YOUR HOMES, IN YOUR COMMUNITY BUILDINGS, ALONG ROADS AND BRIDGES. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD, WATER AND SHELTER TO MEET YOUR NEEDS, AND WE MUST URGENTLY NEED TO REACH THE DESPERATE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN THE HILLS AND FORESTS OF KOSOVO. /// END ACT ///MR. CLINTON CALLED ON ETHNIC ALBANIANS, WHEN THEY RETURN TO KOSOVO, NOT TO SEEK REVENGE ON SERBS LIVING THERE. /// SECOND CLINTON ACT ///AS YOU PREPARE TO GO HOME, I KNOW YOU HAVE MANY REASONS TO BE BITTER AND FULL OF ANGER. BUT I ASK YOU NOT TO LET MR. MILOSEVIC HAVE THE VICTORY OF SEEING YOUR SPIRITS BROKEN AND YOUR HEARTS TURNED TO STONE. NO-ONE SHOULD DO TO THE ETHNIC SERBS WHO LIVE IN KOSOVO, WHAT THEIR LEADERS DID TO YOU. DO NOT PROVE MR. MILOSEVIC RIGHT THAT PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS ARE INEVITABLY ENEMIES. NO HUMAN BEING SHOULD EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ENDURE. /// END ACT ///PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON PRAISED THE COURAGE OF THE KOSOVAR ETHNIC
ALBANIANS AND SAID THOSE WHO HAVE PERPETRATED CRIMES AGAINST THEM
WILL BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. (SIGNED)
[05] COHEN / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250570 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN SAYS SERB FORCES ARE COMPLYING WITH THE AGREMENT TO WITHDRAW FROM KOSOVO. HE DOWNPLAYS THE PRESENCE OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN THE PROVINCE'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA. CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: MR. COHEN TOLD REPORTERS NATO PEACEKEEPERS ARE DEPLOYING IN KOSOVO TO CREATE A SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT SO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES CAN RETURN HOME WHEN CONDITIONS ARE RIGHT. THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYS EVERYTHING IS WORKING ACCORDING TO PLAN : NATO PEACEKEEPERS ARE MOVING INTO KOSOVO WHILE THE SERBS ARE CONTINUING TO REMOVE THEIR FORCES FROM THE SERB PROVINCE. // COHEN ACT //THEY ARE FOR THE MOST PART, I WOULD SAY - IN VIRTUALLY ALL ASPECTS - COOPERATING. THERE IS STILL SOME QUESTION ABOUT THEIR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION AS FAR AS MINE REMOVAL. BUT ABSENT THAT ONE CATEGORY- AND THAT SEEMS TO BE MINOR IN NATURE AT THIS POINT - THEY ARE FULLY COOPERATING CONSISTENT WITH THE FLOW CHARTS AND THEIR OBLIGATION TO REMOVE THEIR FORCES. SO WE ARE SATISFIED THAT THAT IS PROCEEDING AS PLANNED. // END ACT //WHAT WAS NOT PLANNED WAS THE PRESENCE OF 150 TO 200 RUSSIAN SOLDIERS IN KOSOVO'S CAPITAL, PRISTINA. THE RUSSIANS MOVED FROM THEIR PEACEKEEPING POSTS IN BOSNIA AND ARRIVED IN PRISTINA HOURS BEFORE NATO WAS TO BEGIN ITS DEPLOYMENT OF PEACEKEEPERS. MR. COHEN SAYS THE RUSSIAN MOVE WAS SURPRISING -- BUT NOT DISTURBING. // SECOND COHEN ACT //IT IS UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHETHER IT WAS A MISTAKE OR NOT. IT CERTAINLY WAS A PRECIPITOUS ACTION LEADING TO SOME CONFUSION. IT WAS SURPRISING TO THE (RUSSIAN) FOREIGN MINISTER (IGOR IVANOV) WHO HAD INDICATED PRIVATELY TO (U-S) SECRETARY (OF STATE MADELEINE) ALBRIGHT AND OTHERS THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ACTION TAKEN GOING INTO PRISTINA LAST EVENING -- AND SO I THINK HE WAS SOMEWHAT SURPRSIED. AND BECAUSE OF THE CONFUSION, I THINK THERE IS A SITUATION WHERE THEY WERE ANXIOUS TO PARTICIPATE. THEY MOVED INTO PRISTINA. IT IS NOT A MILITARILY SIGNIFICANT FORCE. // END ACT //THE U-S DEFENSE SECRETARY SAYS IT IS A GOOD SIGN THE RUSSIANS WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING FORCE KNOWN AS "K-FOR" -- AND HE POINTED OUT THE RUSSIAN TROOPS PAINTED THE "K-FOR" LETTERS ON THEIR ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AS THEY ROLLED INTO PRISTINA. AN ADVANCE TEAM OF BRITISH FORCES WHO ARE TO OCCUPY THE CENTRAL PART OF KOSOVO -- INCLUDING PRISTINA -- HAS ALREADY LINKED UP WITH THE RUSSIAN FORCES. SENIOR PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAID THE MEETING WAS CORDIAL. SECRETARY COHEN SAYS NEGOTIATIONS ARE UNDERWAY TO DETERMINE WHAT
ROLE THE RUSSIANS WILL PLAY IN KOSOVO AND WHERE THEY WILL BE
DISPATCHED. HE SAYS THERE MUST BE A UNIFIED NATO COMMAND
STRUCTURE -- IN OTHER WORDS RUSSIAN TROOPS WILL BE UNDER NATO
ORDERS. MR. COHEN DISMISSED SUGGESTIONS OF HAVING ONE SECTOR OF
KOSOVO RUN ONLY BY MOSCOW. (SIGNED)
[06] KOSOVO / GERMAN TROOPS (S-UPDATE) BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES, ALBANIA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250569 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: UPDATES CR 2-250560 ///INTRO: GERMAN TROOPS, PART OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO, ARE GATHERING IN ALBANIA TO CROSS INTO KOSOVO (WITHIN HOURS / EARLY SUNDAY). AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM KUKES, THEY ARE STATIONED NEAR THE BORDER AND ARE PREPARING TO ENTER THE PROVINCE SUNDAY MORNING. TEXT: GERMAN TROOPS HAVE PITCHED TENTS OUTSIDE OF KUKES, ALBANIA, AND ARE GETTING READY FOR THE GERMAN MILITARY'S BIGGEST DEPLOYMENT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO. ON SUNDAY THEY WILL FORM A CONVOY OF 20 TO 25 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND ENTER KOSOVO. THEY PLAN TO DRIVE 17 KILOMETERS TO THE TOWN OF PRIZREN. THEY WILL ESTABLISH THEIR HEADQUARTERS AND BEGUN TO SURVEY DAMAGE. BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT LAND MINES AND BOOBY-TRAPS, THE TROOPS
WILL SPEND SUNDAY NIGHT SLEEPING IN THEIR VEHICLES. IN THE
COMING DAYS THEY WILL SECURE THE MAIN ROADS IN THEIR SECTOR OF
KOSOVO, AND SET UP CHECKPOINTS. MORE TROOPS, WITH BATTLE TANKS
AND OTHER WEAPONS, WILL JOIN THEM SOON. (SIGNED)
[07] KOSOVO / GERMAN TROOPS (S-UPDATE) BY AMY BICKERS (KUKES, ALBANIA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250569 CONTENT= VOICED AT: /// EDS: UPDATES CR 2-250560 ///INTRO: GERMAN TROOPS, PART OF THE NATO PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO, ARE GATHERING IN ALBANIA TO CROSS INTO KOSOVO (WITHIN HOURS / EARLY SUNDAY). AS AMY BICKERS REPORTS FROM KUKES, THEY ARE STATIONED NEAR THE BORDER AND ARE PREPARING TO ENTER THE PROVINCE SUNDAY MORNING. TEXT: GERMAN TROOPS HAVE PITCHED TENTS OUTSIDE OF KUKES, ALBANIA, AND ARE GETTING READY FOR THE GERMAN MILITARY'S BIGGEST DEPLOYMENT SINCE WORLD WAR TWO. ON SUNDAY THEY WILL FORM A CONVOY OF 20 TO 25 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND ENTER KOSOVO. THEY PLAN TO DRIVE 17 KILOMETERS TO THE TOWN OF PRIZREN. THEY WILL ESTABLISH THEIR HEADQUARTERS AND BEGUN TO SURVEY DAMAGE. BECAUSE OF CONCERNS ABOUT LAND MINES AND BOOBY-TRAPS, THE TROOPS
WILL SPEND SUNDAY NIGHT SLEEPING IN THEIR VEHICLES. IN THE
COMING DAYS THEY WILL SECURE THE MAIN ROADS IN THEIR SECTOR OF
KOSOVO, AND SET UP CHECKPOINTS. MORE TROOPS, WITH BATTLE TANKS
AND OTHER WEAPONS, WILL JOIN THEM SOON. (SIGNED)
[08] KOSOVO / K-DAY (S ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (ELEZIT, KOSOVO)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250558 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: K-FOR -- THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE FOR KOSOVO -- IS WELL INTO ITS ENTRY INTO THE PROVINCE. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IS WITH A BRITISH ARMORED COLUMN AND HAS THIS REPORT. TEXT: //OPENS WITH SOUND OF TANKS, FADES///THERE IS A LARGE TRAFFIC JAM ON THE TWO-LANE ROAD BETWEEN MACEDONIA BETWEEN KOSOVO. TANKS AND ARMORED CARS ARE BACKED UP MANY KILOMETERS. THE ENTRY WAS SLOWED BY THE NECESSITY OF CHECKING THE ROADS FOR LAND MINES AND THAT HAD TO BE DONE ON FOOT. AT THE BORDER CROSSING, THREE SURLY YUGOSLAV CUSTOMS OFFICIALS WATCHED THE K-FOR UNITS COMING ACROSS FROM MACEDONIA. THE HIGHEST RANKING OF THEM DEFIANTLY SAID "TIME IS WITH THE SERBS." BRITISH BRIGADIER DAVID MONTGOMERY DESCRIBED A SURREAL SCENE OF
KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY GUERRILLAS GIVING NEWS MEDIA INTERVIEWS
JUST A FEW METERS FROM CUSTOMS OFFICIALS. A FEW DAYS AGO THEY
WOULD HAVE BEEN EXCHANGING GUNFIRE. (SIGNED)
[09] KOSOVO / KFOR MOVES IN (L) BY EVE CONANT (BLACE)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250575 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING TROOPS ARE POURING INTO KOSOVO, CROSSING THE MACEDONIAN BORDER AT BLACE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT, WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING THE MILITARY COLUMN ADVANCE, REPORTS ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE CELEBRATING AT THEIR CAMPS IN MACEDONIA, AND SOME ARE ALREADY TRYING TO GET HOME. TEXT: THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO KOSOVO IS PACKED WITH BRITISH ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS AND HUM-VEES [U-S-BUILT JEEP-LIKE VEHICLES] ROLLING TOWARDS THE BORDER. /// SFX: ARMORED VEHICLES PASSING; ESTABLISH AND FADE ///BUT THE ROAD IS ALSO PACKED WITH CROWDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES, RAISING THEIR HANDS IN THE VICTORY SIGN AND SHOUTING THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE PEACEKEEPERS. FOR ONE CROWD OF REFUGEE CHILDREN, THIS IS A CELEBRATION. THE REFUGEE CAMP AT STENKOVAC OPENED ITS GATES FOR THE AFTERNOON, AND THE CHILDREN LIVING AT THE CAMP ARE ENTERTAINING THE TROOPS AS THEY WAIT TO CROSS INTO KOSOVO. IT MAY BE A LONG WAIT, AS THE TROOPS BEFORE THEM TOOK LONGER THAN EXPECTED TO CLEAR THE ROAD TO PRISTINA OF LAND MINES AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES. AS THE TROOPS WAIT, THE CHILDREN OF THE CAMP SWARM INTO THEIR VEHICLES TO SHAKE THEIR HANDS AND TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. /// ACT OF SOLDIER / ALBANIAN CHILDREN EXCHANGING GREETINGS ///ONE REFUGEE CHILD ACTUALLY HANDS A BRITISH SOLDIER A BIT OF FOOD. THE SOLDIER REFUSES, BUT THE GESTURE GETS A LAUGH ALL AROUND [FROM EVERYONE]. THE MOOD IS FESTIVE, AND ONE SOLDIER IS MOBBED BY CHILDREN BEGGING HIM TO PAINT THEIR FACES WITH CAMOUFLAGE-GREEN PAINT. JUST UP THE ROAD IS THE BORDER TO KOSOVO. HUMANITARIAN AID WORKERS STAND BY IN CASE OF ANY PROBLEMS, AND TO WATCH THE TROOPS PASS. GORAN ROSEN IS A FIELD OFFICER FOR THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, THE U-N-H-C-R. HE SAYS SEVERAL REFUGEES HAVE ALREADY TRIED TO CROSS THE BORDER, BUT WERE STOPPED IN THE NO-MAN'S-LAND [OFF-LIMITS BORDER ZONE] BETWEEN KOSOVO AND MACEDONIA. /// GORAN ROSEN ACT ///MY JOB TODAY HAS BEEN TO WALK OVER INTO NO-MAN'S-LAND, TAKE THEM BACK TO THE MACEDONIAN SIDE AND TELL THEM TO BE PATIENT FOR A COUPLE DAYS WHEN [UNTIL] THEY CAN BE HOME IN KOSOVO IN SAFETY. /// END ACT ///ALTHOUGH THE MOOD HERE IS ONE OF VICTORY, MANY OF THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF THE OVERCROWDED CAMPS, AND BACK TO THEIR HOMES, EVEN IF THEIR HOMES NO LONGER EXIST. BUT FOR NOW, THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES IN MACEDONIA
MUST WAIT UNTIL IT IS SAFE ENOUGH TO RETURN. (SIGNED)
[10] KOSOVO / PRISTINA / SCENE (S) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250571 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO -- "K-FOR" -- HAS ENTERED KOSOVO PROVINCE AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN SECURING VILLAGES. THE WESTERN FORCE WAS BEATEN TO THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA, BY RUSSIAN MILITARY UNITS, WHICH HAVE TAKEN UP POSITIONS AROUND THE AIRPORT IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IS IN PRISTINA, AND HAS A REPORT ON A LONG DAY WITH A TANK CONVOY. TEXT: THE 80-KILOMETER DISTANCE FROM THE MACEDONIAN BORDER TO PRISTINA TOOK 11 HOURS. THE MAIN REASON WAS THE FACT THAT ENGINEERS HAD TO CHECK THE ROAD FOR LAND MINES BEFORE THE BRITISH ARMOR COULD GO FORWARD. TUNNELS AND BRUIDGES WERE ALSO CHECKED, BUT NO MINES OR EXPLOSIVES WERE LOCATED. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ARMED SERB FORCES UNTIL THE CONVOY APPROACHED VERY NEAR TO PRISTINA. WHAT WAS APPARENT WAS THE JOY THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FELT AT SEEING THE K-FOR PROCESSION. THE ROAD WAS LINED WITH HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN SHOUTING "NATO, NATO, NATO" [THE CHILDREN PRONOUNCED THE WORD 'NAH-TOE]. HERE IN PRISTINA IT IS DIFFERENT. THE ETHNIC SERBS WERE HAPPY TO
SEE THE ARRIVAL OF THE RUSSIAN TROOPS. (SIGNED)
[11] KOSOVO / PRISTINA / SCENE (S) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250571 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: NATO'S PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO -- "K-FOR" -- HAS ENTERED KOSOVO PROVINCE AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN SECURING VILLAGES. THE WESTERN FORCE WAS BEATEN TO THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA, BY RUSSIAN MILITARY UNITS, WHICH HAVE TAKEN UP POSITIONS AROUND THE AIRPORT IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL. V-O-A'S GIL BUTLER IS IN PRISTINA, AND HAS A REPORT ON A LONG DAY WITH A TANK CONVOY. TEXT: THE 80-KILOMETER DISTANCE FROM THE MACEDONIAN BORDER TO PRISTINA TOOK 11 HOURS. THE MAIN REASON WAS THE FACT THAT ENGINEERS HAD TO CHECK THE ROAD FOR LAND MINES BEFORE THE BRITISH ARMOR COULD GO FORWARD. TUNNELS AND BRUIDGES WERE ALSO CHECKED, BUT NO MINES OR EXPLOSIVES WERE LOCATED. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ARMED SERB FORCES UNTIL THE CONVOY APPROACHED VERY NEAR TO PRISTINA. WHAT WAS APPARENT WAS THE JOY THE KOSOVAR ALBANIANS FELT AT SEEING THE K-FOR PROCESSION. THE ROAD WAS LINED WITH HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN SHOUTING "NATO, NATO, NATO" [THE CHILDREN PRONOUNCED THE WORD 'NAH-TOE]. HERE IN PRISTINA IT IS DIFFERENT. THE ETHNIC SERBS WERE HAPPY TO
SEE THE ARRIVAL OF THE RUSSIAN TROOPS. (SIGNED)
[12] MACEDONIA / K-DAY (S) BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250562 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCES MOVE INTO KOSOVO, THE FIRST SMALL GROUPS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE FOLLOWING BEHIND IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN HOME. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM SKOPJE, MACEDONIA. TEXT: MACEDONIAN POLICE BELIEVE ABOUT 70 REFUGEES HAVE LEFT THEIR CAMPS NEAR THE KOSOVO BORDER HERE AND ARE HEADING HOME. THESE FIGURES CAN NOT BE VERIFIED, BUT ARE THE FIRST SIGNS THAT SOME OF THE 850-THOUSAND KOSOVARS IN MACEDONIAN REFUGEE CAMPS WILL TRY TO RETURN TO KOSOVO ON THEIR OWN (AGAINST THE ADVICE OF AID OFFICIALS). ALSO FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND THE TROOPS ARE INTERNATIONAL AID ORGANIZATIONS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, RON REDMOND, SAYS THE U-N-H-C-R IS ASSEMBLING A CONVOY OF 50 VEHICLES TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD, PLASTIC SHEETING AND MEDICINE TO MORE THAN A HALF-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS STILL INSIDE KOSOVO. MR. REDMOND SAYS THE FIRST TASK WILL BE TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF
DAMAGE, AND THAT MANY MORE CONVOYS WILL FOLLOW. HE SAYS HE
BELIEVES MANY OF THE DISPLACED ARE LIVING HAND-TO-MOUTH [BARELY
SURVIVING]. (SIGNED)
[13] MACEDONIA / K-DAY (S) BY EVE CONANT (SKOPJE, MACEDONIA)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250562 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: AS NATO-LED PEACEKEEPING FORCES MOVE INTO KOSOVO, THE FIRST SMALL GROUPS OF ETHNIC ALBANIAN REFUGEES ARE FOLLOWING BEHIND IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN HOME. V-O-A'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM SKOPJE, MACEDONIA. TEXT: MACEDONIAN POLICE BELIEVE ABOUT 70 REFUGEES HAVE LEFT THEIR CAMPS NEAR THE KOSOVO BORDER HERE AND ARE HEADING HOME. THESE FIGURES CAN NOT BE VERIFIED, BUT ARE THE FIRST SIGNS THAT SOME OF THE 850-THOUSAND KOSOVARS IN MACEDONIAN REFUGEE CAMPS WILL TRY TO RETURN TO KOSOVO ON THEIR OWN (AGAINST THE ADVICE OF AID OFFICIALS). ALSO FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND THE TROOPS ARE INTERNATIONAL AID ORGANIZATIONS. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY, RON REDMOND, SAYS THE U-N-H-C-R IS ASSEMBLING A CONVOY OF 50 VEHICLES TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD, PLASTIC SHEETING AND MEDICINE TO MORE THAN A HALF-MILLION ETHNIC ALBANIANS STILL INSIDE KOSOVO. MR. REDMOND SAYS THE FIRST TASK WILL BE TO ASSESS THE LEVEL OF
DAMAGE, AND THAT MANY MORE CONVOYS WILL FOLLOW. HE SAYS HE
BELIEVES MANY OF THE DISPLACED ARE LIVING HAND-TO-MOUTH [BARELY
SURVIVING]. (SIGNED)
[14] RUSSIA / KOSOVO (S&L-UPDATE) BY PETER HEINLEIN (MOSCOW)DATE=6/12/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250561 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: SENIOR U-S AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS ARE CONTINUING URGENT NEGOTIATIONS AMID CONFUSION ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN KOSOVO. V-O-A MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT PETER HEINLEIN REPORTS THERE ARE INCREASING SIGNS THE OPERATION WAS WELL-PLANNED AND AUTHORIZED BY THE KREMLIN. TEXT: FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV AT FIRST CALLED THE TROOP MOVEMENT A MISTAKE. HE SAID RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPERS WERE BEING ORDERED TO LEAVE PRISTINA. BUT DURING A DAY OF INTENSE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN RUSSIAN AND U-S OFFICIALS, THERE WERE GROWING INDICATIONS THE DEPLOYMENT MAY HAVE BEEN AUTHORIZED BY PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN. THE INTERFAX NEWS AGENCY IS QUOTING A SENIOR KREMLIN AIDE AS SAYING PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVES WERE ISSUED FOR THE TROOP MOVEMENT. MOREOVER, GENERAL VIKTOR ZAVARZIN, WHO HAD BEEN RUSSIA'S REPRESENTATIVE TO NATO, WAS WITH THE CONVOY WHEN IT ROLLED INTO PRISTINA. // OPT // THE STATE-RUN ITAR-TASS NEWS AGENCY REPORTS PRESIDENT YELTSIN PROMOTED GENERAL ZAVARZIN SATURDAY, RAISING HIS RANK FROM LIEUTENANT-GENERAL TO COLONEL-GENERAL. // END OPT // AND RUSSIA'S INDEPENDENT TELEVISION CHANNEL [N-T-V] QUOTES MILITARY SOURCES AS SAYING THE IMMEDIATE ORDER TO DEPLOY THE FORCE CAME FROM DEPUTY DEFENSE MINISTER ANATOLY KVASHNIN. /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///THE N-T-V REPORT ALSO SAID RUSSIA'S EMBASSY IN BELGRADE HAD OPPOSED THE DEPLOYMENT. INTERFAX QUOTES DIPLOMATIC AND MILITARY SOURCES AS SAYING NO ORDER TO WITHDRAW THE TROOPS HAS BEEN ISSUED, AND SAYS MORE TROOPS WILL BE DISPATCHED SOON. INTERFAX ALSO REPORTS RUSSIA'S LEADERSHIP WAS PUSHED TO SEND PEACEKEEPERS TO KOSOVO IMMEDIATELY, BECAUSE IF THEY HAD WAITED, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BARRED BY THE NATO-LED PEACE FORCE. WHEN NEWS OF THE DEPLOYMENT BROKE SATURDAY, PRESIDENT YELTSIN SUMMONED FOREIGN MINISTER IVANOV TO THE KREMLIN, ALONG WITH HIS PRIME MINISTER AND DEFENSE MINISTER. AFTERWARD, TWO RUSSIAN GENERALS WERE DISPATCHED TO MACEDONIA FOR URGENT TALKS WITH NATO OFFICIALS. THE GENERALS ARE SAID TO BE SEEKING AN AGREEMENT ON INCORPORATING THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT INTO THE MAIN PEACEKEEPING FORCE. BUT DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY RUSSIA IS HOLDING FAST TO ITS DEMAND THAT ITS FORCES BE KEPT OUTSIDE THE MAIN NATO-LED COMMAND STRUCTURE. MEANWHILE, DEPUTY U-S SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT REMAINS IN MOSCOW, STAYING IN ALMOST CONSTANT TOUCH WITH RUSSIA'S LEADERSHIP. MR. TALBOTT WAS SCHEDULED TO LEAVE MOSCOW FRIDAY, BUT TURNED HIS PLANE AROUND AND RETURNED, AFTER LEARNING RUSSIAN TROOPS WERE ON THE MOVE. WHEN SATURDAY'S MARATHON ROUND OF TALKS BROKE UP, MR. TALBOTT'S
ONLY COMMENT TO REPORTERS WAS, "NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE." ANOTHER
ROUND OF TALKS IS SET FOR SUNDAY. (SIGNED)
[15] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO (S) BY DEBORAH TATE (WHITE HOUSE)DATE=6/11/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250550 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY RECEIVED WORD FROM RUSSIA THAT THE ENTRY OF RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING TROOPS IN KOSOVO AHEAD OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS WAS A REGRETTABLE MISTAKE. THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING TO DETERMINE WHY IT HAPPENED. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS. TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THEY ACCEPT THE EXPLANATION GIVEN BY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV THAT RUSSIAN TROOPS MISTAKENLY ENTERED KOSOVO AHEAD OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS. MR. IVANOV ANNOUNCED THAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE BEEN ORDERED OUT OF
THE SOUTHERN SERB PROVINCE. BUT U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE
TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY THE RUSSIANS WERE ALLOWED TO ENTER KOSOVO
PRIOR TO THE FIRST DEPLOYMENT OF NATO TROOPS. DEPUTY SECRETARY
OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT, WHO IS IN MOSCOW TO DISCUSS THE RUSSIAN
ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE, IS SEEKING ANSWERS.
EARLIER, U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM
MR.IVANOV THAT RUSSIAN TROOPS WOULD NOT MOVE UNILATERALLY INTO
KOSOVO. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
WOULD COMPLICATE TALKS WITH MOSCOW ABOUT ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE
PEACEKEEPING EFFORT. (SIGNED)
[16] U-S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO / L BY DEBORAH TATE (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/11/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250551 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ACCEPT MOSCOW'S EXPLANATIONS THE ENTRY OF RUSSIAN TROOPS INTO KOSOVO AHEAD OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS WAS A MISTAKE. BUT, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS AS TO WHY IT HAPPENED. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: THERE WAS MUCH CONCERN WHEN WHITE HOUSE AIDES WATCHED TELEVISED PICTURES OF RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTERING KOSOVO BEFORE NATO PEACEKEEPERS HAD GONE IN. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SCRAMBLED TO TRY TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND WHAT TO DO NEXT. HOURS EARLIER, PRESIDENT CLINTON TOLD A TELEVISION INTERVIEWER THE UNITED STATES RECEIVED ASSURANCES FROM MOSCOW RUSSIAN TROOPS WERE JUST PRE-POSITIONING AHEAD OF NATO'S ARRIVAL IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS HE WAS TOLD WOULD NOT MOVE UNILATERALLY INTO THE SOUTHERN SERB PROVINCE. WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS WERE PLEASED TO HEAR FROM RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV, WHO SAID THE ENTRY OF RUSSIAN TROOPS INTO KOSOVO WAS A 'REGRETTABLE MISTAKE.' HE TOLD THE WHITE HOUSE THEY HAD BEEN ORDERED OUT OF KOSOVO. BUT U-S OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING ANSWERS TO WHY IT HAPPENED, IN THE
FIRST PLACE. THEY SAY THE DEVELOPMENT MAY COMPLICATE TALKS ON
THE ROLE MOSCOW WILL PLAY IN THE PEACKEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO.
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART SAYS THOSE TALKS CONTINUE
BETWEEN THE RUSSIANS AND DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT
IN MOSCOW. (SIGNED)
[17] U=S / RUSSIA / KOSOVO / S / OVERNIGHTER BY (WASHINGTON)DATE=6/11/99TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-250552 CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS ARE SEEKING AN EXPLANATION FROM MOSCOW ON WHY RUSSIAN TROOPS ENTERED KOSOVO AHEAD OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS. FOR NOW, THEY ACCEPT RUSSIAN EXPLANATIONS THE MOVE WAS A MISTAKE. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON. TEXT: ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE STROBE TALBOTT -- WHO IS IN MOSCOW TO DISCUSS THE RUSSIAN ROLE IN THE KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING MISSION -- WILL SEEK ANSWERS AS TO WHY RUSSIAN TROOPS WERE ALLOWED TO ENTER KOSOVO BEFORE THE FIRST DEPLOYMENT OF NATO PEACEKEEPERS. RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV -- WHO EARLIER HAD ASSURED U-S OFFICIALS RUSSIAN TROOPS WOULD NOT UNILATERALLY ENTER KOSOVO EXPLAINED IT WAS A REGRETTABLE MISTAKE THAT RUSSIAN FORCES CROSSED INTO THE SOUTHERN SERB PROVINCE. U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY ACCEPT THAT EXPLANATION, FOR NOW. BUT THEY SAY THE DEVELOPMENT MAY COMPLICATE THE TALKS ON THE
RUSSIAN ROLE IN THE PEACEKEEPING MISSION. (SIGNED)
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