Voice of America, 99-06-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[02] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[03] KOSOVO / K-L-A BY EVE CONANT (PETROVA)

[04] KOSOVO / WAR CRIMES AND RECRIMINATIONS BY WALTER WISNIEWSKI (WASHINGTON)

[05] KOSOVO MASSACRES (L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[06] KOSOVO SERBS (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)

[07] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

[08] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES - L ONLY BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

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

[10] U-S / K-L-A (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[11] UNHCR KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

[12] VILLAGERS RETURN (L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

[13] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY WALTER WISNIEWSKI (WASHINGTON)

[01] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EXPRESSING OPTIMISM THAT AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED WITH RUSSIA ON ITS ROLE IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM GENEVA, WHERE PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEGUN A WEEK-LONG EUROPEAN VISIT.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON ARRIVES IN EUROPE BUOYED BY A KOSOVO PEACE PLAN, WHICH IS NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED, BUT ALSO AMID CONCERN THAT RUSSIA'S ROLE IN A PEACEKEEPING MISSION THERE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED. STILL, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART TOLD REPORTERS THE UNITED STATES EXPECTS THE RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING ISSUE TO GET RESOLVED - ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT SAY WHEN.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN MEETS WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IGOR SERGEYEV IN HELSINKI WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.

U-S OFFICIALS HOPE AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED BEFORE MR. CLINTON MEETS WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SUNDAY ON THE SIDELINES OF AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT IN COLOGNE, GERMANY.

KOSOVO IS EXPECTED TO TOP THE AGENDA DURING MR. CLINTON'S EUROPEAN TRIP, WHICH WILL ALSO TAKE HIM TO FRANCE AND SLOVENIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PLM
16-Jun-99 4:54 AM EDT (0854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] CLINTON / KOSOVO (S) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS EXPRESSING OPTIMISM THAT AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED WITH RUSSIA ON ITS ROLE IN AN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO. CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS FROM GENEVA, WHERE PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS BEGUN A WEEK-LONG EUROPEAN VISIT.

TEXT: MR. CLINTON ARRIVES IN EUROPE BUOYED BY A KOSOVO PEACE PLAN, WHICH IS NOW BEING IMPLEMENTED, BUT ALSO AMID CONCERN THAT RUSSIA'S ROLE IN A PEACEKEEPING MISSION THERE HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED. STILL, WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN JOE LOCKHART TOLD REPORTERS THE UNITED STATES EXPECTS THE RUSSIAN PEACEKEEPING ISSUE TO GET RESOLVED - ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT SAY WHEN.

DEFENSE SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN MEETS WITH HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART IGOR SERGEYEV IN HELSINKI WEDNESDAY TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.

U-S OFFICIALS HOPE AN AGREEMENT WILL BE REACHED BEFORE MR. CLINTON MEETS WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN SUNDAY ON THE SIDELINES OF AN ECONOMIC SUMMIT IN COLOGNE, GERMANY.

KOSOVO IS EXPECTED TO TOP THE AGENDA DURING MR. CLINTON'S EUROPEAN TRIP, WHICH WILL ALSO TAKE HIM TO FRANCE AND SLOVENIA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT/PLM
16-Jun-99 4:54 AM EDT (0854 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO / K-L-A BY EVE CONANT (PETROVA)

INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN SOLDIERS OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY ARE COMING OUT FROM HIDING AS SERB FORCES WITHDRAW. ACCORDING TO THE PEACE AGREEMENT, THE K-L-A MUST DISARM, BUT IN KOSOVO'S SECOND LARGEST CITY, PRIZREN, K-L-A SOLDIERS REFUSED WHEN K-FOR FORCES REQUESTED THEY DROP THEIR GUNS. CORRESPONDENT EVE CONANT VISITED A K-L-A HEADQUARTERS IN THE SOUTHERN VILLAGE OF PETROVA, 30 KILOMETERS FROM PRISTINA, WHERE ONE OF KOSOVO'S TOP COMMANDERS EXPLAINS WHY THE K-L-A SHOULD KEEP THEIR GUNS.

TEXT: IN THE DESTROYED VILLAGE OF PETROVA IT IS THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY THAT IS IN CHARGE. K-L-A OFFICERS SPORTING KALASHNIKOVS CHECK ALL PASSING CARS THAT TRAVEL ON THE ISOLATED DIRT ROADS OF THIS BURNED-OUT VILLAGE. EVERY STOREFRONT HAS SHATTERED WINDOWS, MANY OF THE HOUSES ARE PILES OF RUBBLE.

MOST ACTIVITY IN PETROVA CAN BE FOUND AT K-L-A HEADQUARTERS, CONTROLLED BY ONE OF THE K-L-A'S TOP COMMANDERS FOR SOUTHERN KOSOVO, SHUKRI BUJA. WEARING CAMOUFLAGE AND THE TELLTALE RED CAP OF THE K-L-A, COMMANDER BUJA EXPLAINS WHY THE K-L-A SHOULD KEEP ITS WEAPONS.

HE SAYS K-L-A SPECIAL UNITS, KNOWN AS THE RED-CAPS, HAVE TO GUARD THE ROADS IN THE VILLAGES AND MOUNTAINS TO MAKE SURE ALBANIANS ARE SAFE THERE.

COMMANDER BUJA SAYS NATO TROOPS INFORMED THEM THEY COULD KEEP THEIR WEAPONS TO DEFEND HEADQUARTERS. BUT THE COMMANDER SAYS HE FOLLOWS ORDERS OF THE TOP K-L-A COMMAND, NOT K-FOR.

BRITISH SOLDIERS IN THE NEARBY VILLAGE OF SHTIME ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE K-L-A AT PETROVA. LIEUTENANT RUPERT HOPE-HAWKINGS STANDS ON THE ROADSIDE TALKING WITH SEVERAL ARMED K-L-A MEN TO NEGOTIATE A MEETING WITH THE COMMANDER. HE SAYS THE K-L-A WILL BE ALLOWED TO KEEP THEIR ARMS FOR NOW.

UNDER THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT THE K-L-A WERE ALLOWED TO KEEP THEIR ARMS AS LONG AS THEY WEREN'T USING THEM IN AN OFFENSIVE MANNER. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THE K-L-A OF PETROVA SAY THEY WILL FOLLOW THE ORDERS OF HASHIM THACI, THE K-L-A'S TOP LEADER AND KOSOVO'S SELF-DECLARED PRIME MINISTER. BUT WITH SERB FORCES STILL INSIDE KOSOVA AND THE QUESTION OF INDEPENDENCE UNRESOLVED THEY WILL KEEP THEIR GUNS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

THE GUNS ARE HARD TO MISS. ARMED K-L-A SOLDIERS SAY THEY ARE ON FULL PATROL TO GUARANTEE THE PEACE. AND THE K-L-A ARE NOT JUST MEN. SEVERAL WOMEN EITHER IN CAMOUFLAGE, OR WEARING SOLID BLACK WITH A RED K-L-A BADGE ALSO GUARD THE HEADQUARTERS.

ONE OFFICER, WHO GIVES ONLY HER FIRST NAME, VALDETA, EXPLAINS WHY SHE CHOSE TO FIGHT.

TO GIVE MY CONTRIBUTION TO MY HOMELAND, TO FIGHT, TO GET EVERYTHING. EVERY ALBANIAN I THINK WANTS THAT, TO FIGHT FOR OUR SACRED AIM. BECAUSE WE CAN'T NOW LIVE WITH SERBS BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE TOO MUCH HERE.

THERE IS EVEN A K-L-A INFORMATION CENTER CONSISTING OF ONE OFFICER, A TYPEWRITER AND A SATELLITE PHONE.

THE OFFICER PREPARES PAMPHLETS, WARNING REFUGEES WHERE THE K-L-A BELIEVES THERE COULD STILL BE LANDMINES. BUT FOR SEVERAL REFUGEES TAKEN IN AT A MAKESHIFT K-L-A FIELD HOSPITAL, THAT INFORMATION HAS COME TOO LATE.

DR. BESIM HOXHA TALKS TO A YOUNG GIRL WHO IS BARELY CONSCIOUS. DR. HOXHA HAD TO AMPUTATE HER FOOT AFTER SHE STEPPED ON A LANDMINE THREE DAYS AGO.

LULYA IS A CIVILIAN, SHE GOT LOST WITH FIVE MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY AND SHE HAS BEEN WOUNDED BY A MINE. THREE OF HER FAMILY HAVE DIED, HER FATHER, SISTER AND BROTHER AND SHE HAS BEEN INJURED IN HER FOOT AND EYE.

REFUGEES LIE SIDE BY SIDE WITH INJURED K-L-A SOLDIERS, SOME OF WHOM WERE SHOT BY DEPARTING SERBS THE DAY K-FOR ARRIVED. THE OTHERS HAVE LOST A LIMB TO LANDMINES.

THERE IS ALMOST NO MEDICINE OR SUPPLIES HERE. THE HOSPITAL IS A HOME DONATED BY A LOCAL VILLAGER AND DR. HOXHA SHOWS HOW HE FASHIONED EXTRA SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS OUT OF KITCHEN SPATULAS AND SPOONS.

THIS, AS YOU SEE, IMPLEMENT HAS BEEN MODIFIED WHICH WAS A SPOON FROM THE KITCHEN.

THE K-L-A MAY NOT HAVE MUCH MORE THAN GUNS, BUT THEY HAVE TREMENDOUS INFLUENCE OVER THE PEOPLE. THEY ARE EVERYTHING TO THE FEW VILLAGERS OF PETROVA. THEY ARE POLITICIANS, THEY ARE POLICE, THEY ARE MEDICINE. THE K-L-A HAVE EVEN PUT THEMSELVES IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING AND REGISTERING REFUGEES AS THEY RETURN HOME.

THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN THIS VILLAGE SAY THE K-L-A MUST KEEP THEIR WEAPONS. ONLY THEN WILL THEY FEEL SAFE. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/GE
16-Jun-99 9:40 AM EDT (1340 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO / WAR CRIMES AND RECRIMINATIONS BY WALTER WISNIEWSKI (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS NATO PEACEKEEPING TROOPS TAKE UP THEIR POSITIONS ACROSS KOSOVO, EVIDENCE OF THE HORRORS THAT HAVE VISITED THE PEOPLE OF THAT SERBIAN PROVINCE IS BEGINNING TO EMERGE. THERE ARE INCREASING CALLS FOR IMPARTIAL INVESTIGATIONS OF REPORTED ATROCITIES AND MASSACRES. MANY AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS SAY IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO CARRY OUT SUCH INVESTIGATIONS SWIFTLY AND THOROUGHLY. HERE WITH A SAMPLING OF U-S PRESS COMMENT ON THIS SUBJECT IS ___________ WITH WEDNESDAY'S OPINION ROUNDUP.

TEXT: THE NATO TROOPS STREAMING INTO KOSOVO THESE DAYS ARE BEING WELCOMED AS LIBERATORS BY THE ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVARS, AND IN THOSE GREETINGS THERE IS SOMETHING OF THE EXHILARATION SURVIVORS FEEL AT THE CONCLUSION OF A WAR. BUT GRIM AND PAINFUL SCENES WILL LIE AHEAD, AS FORENSIC SPECIALISTS EXAMINE THE GRAVES WHERE THE VICTIMS OF MASSACRES LIE BURIED. THE BOSTON GLOBE SAYS THE ACCOUNTS OF SERB ATROCITIES PERPETRATED AGAINST THE ALBANIAN KOSOVARS HAVE BEEN "HORRENDOUS" -- TALES OF "INFANTS MURDERED BY DRUNKEN SERB PARAMILITARIES, GRANDMOTHERS AND GRANDFATHERS CUT DOWN BY PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN THEIR NEIGHBORS, [AND] WOMEN RAPED AND ASSASSINATED."

THE GLOBE [NEWSPAPER] SAYS THE GOAL OF THE INVESTIGATIONS IS THE RESTORATION OF JUSTICE.

VOICE: THE INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL AT THE HAGUE DISPATCHES FORENSIC SPECIALISTS TO DETERMINE HOW THE VICTIMS OF WAR CRIMES WERE KILLED, ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT MURDER IS MURDER, AT ALL TIMES AND UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THAT THE SUREST WAY TO PREVENT A RECURRENCE OF THE KOSOVO KILLING FIELDS IS TO ESTABLISH IN A COURT OF LAW INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH CRIME. // OPT // ... IF CRIMES SUCH AS THOSE ALLEGED IN KOSOVO GO UNPUNISHED, THEN THE CODE OF THE VENDETTA WILL REPLACE THE IMPERSONAL, TRUTH-SIFTING DEMANDS OF JUSTICE. THERE WILL BE NO CLOSURE FOR THE KINFOLK OF THE VICTIM[S] AND NO WAY TO PREVENT ANOTHER ROUND OF BLOOD-LETTING SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. // END OPT //

TEXT: THERE ALSO ARE THOSE WHO SAY THE NATO ALLIANCE WAS GUILTY OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN ITS CONDUCT OF THE MILITARY CAMPAIGN AGAINST SERB FORCES IN KOSOVO. THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE SAYS THIS COMPLAINT, BROUGHT TO THE HAGUE WAR-CRIMES TRIBUNAL BY A GROUP OF LAWYERS, SMACKS OF "PERVERSE EVEN-HANDEDNESS":

VOICE: // OPT // THAT'S RIGHT. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHETHER NATO COMMITTED WAR CRIMES -- BY BOMBING BRIDGES, BY BLASTING SERBIAN TELEVISION HEADQUARTERS, BY DESTROYING INFRASTRUCTURE AND, COLLATERALLY, HITTING AND KILLING SOME CIVILIANS. // END OPT // FAR BE IT FROM US TO SUGGEST THAT NATO WAS INCAPABLE OF DOING WRONG. ... BUT EVEN THE MOST HIGH-PROFILE ACTUAL CASES OF CIVILIAN DEATH AND INJURY WERE THE RESULT EITHER OF OBVIOUS TARGETING ERRORS -- SURELY NATO DIDN'T INTEND TO HIT THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE -- OR ATTEMPTS TO TAKE OUT FACILITIES THAT SERVED MILITARY PURPOSES AS WELL AS CIVILIAN ONES. QUESTIONABLE SOME OF NATO'S DECISIONS MAY HAVE BEEN. CRIMINAL THEY ALMOST CERTAINLY WERE NOT.

TEXT: THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR [A BOSTON NEWSPAPER] SAYS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY -- WITH NATO AT ITS FOREFRONT -- HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVERSE A HUMAN-RIGHTS CATASTROPHE IN KOSOVO, BUT THE TASK WILL BE EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT, AGGRAVATED BY BALKAN TENSIONS AND ANIMOSITIES.

VOICE: NATO'S PEACEKEEPERS ARE WITNESSING THOSE ANIMOSITIES AS ALBANIANS TAUNT FLEEING SERBS, SNIPING INCIDENTS BREAK OUT, AND, MOST DISTURBING, ARMED MEN REFUSE TO HAND OVER THEIR WEAPONS. NATO HAS A MANDATE TO "DEMILITARIZE" THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. K-L-A MEMBERS HAVE, HOWEVER, SHOWN A RELUCTANCE TO PART WITH THEIR GUNS. NATO COMMANDERS WILL HAVE TO BE ALERT AND RESOURCEFUL TO ASSURE THAT THOSE WEAPONS ARE NOT TURNED TO REVENGE.

TEXT: IN CONNECTICUT, THE HARTFORD COURANT AGREES:

VOICE: THAT'S THE GRIM REALITY. ETHNIC CLEANSING WILL NOT NECESSARILY END WITH THE OCCUPATION OF KOSOVO BY NATO. THE KOSOVO SERB CIVILIANS, HAVING WATCHED [YUGOSLAV] PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC'S SLASH-KILL-AND-BURN SQUADS AT WORK ON THE ALBANIANS, ARE IN A PANIC. THEY FEAR RETRIBUTION FROM THE RETURNING ALBANIANS, ESPECIALLY THE GUERRILLAS OF THE [K-L-A].

THE COURANT SAYS THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE IN KOSOVO SHOULD NOT TAKE SIDES, BUT ASSURE BOTH ETHNIC SERBS AND ALBANIANS THAT THEY WILL BE SECURE. THIS BRINGS UP A DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE RUSSIAN TROOPS WHO HAVE STAKED OUT A POSITION FOR THEMSELVES AT THE AIRPORT OUTSIDE PRISTINA (KOSOVO'S CAPITAL). A FLORIDA NEWSPAPER, THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, SAYS PRESIDENT CLINTON AND THE OTHER NATO LEADERS SHOULD FIND A CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE FOR RUSSIA TO PLAY IN KOSOVO PEACEKEEPING.

VOICE: THE SMALL CONTINGENT OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN KOSOVO PRESENTS NO IMMEDIATE THREAT TO NATO FORCES, WHO HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH TO WORRY ABOUT FROM RETREATING SERBS, ADVANCING KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY MEMBERS, LAND MINES AND OTHER HAZARDS. THE MOUNTING EVIDENCE OF THE ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY SERB FORCES IS GRUESOME TESTAMENT TO THE NIGHTMARE NATO HAS INTERRUPTED.

TEXT: THERE IS A CONTINUING DEBATE ABOUT HOW AND WHY THE RUSSIAN CONTINGENT WOUND UP IN PRISTINA BEFORE THE MAIN UNITS OF NATO'S FORCE. THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES SAYS THERE ARE ONLY TWO PLAUSIBLE EXPLANATIONS:

VOICE: ONE, OUR [U-S] GOVERNMENT WAS WAS REPEATEDLY LIED TO BY RUSSIAN PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN AND FOREIGN MINISTER IGOR IVANOV. ... THE SECOND POSSIBILITY -- THAT ELEMENTS OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY ARE BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE YELTSIN GOVERNMENT -- IS LESS LIKELY BUT EVEN MORE DISTURBING.

TEXT: WRITING IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, GARRY KASPAROV -- THE WORLD CHESS CHAMPION, ONE OF THE NEWSPAPER'S CONTRIBUTING EDITORS SAYS NATO MUST TAKE A CLEAR LEADERSHIP ROLE IN PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN KOSOVO. HE SAYS IF RUSSIA IS ALLOWED TO INCREASE THE SIZE AND ROLE OF ITS MILITARY UNITS IN KOSOVO, THEY WILL BECOME "AGENTS OF INSTABILITY, WHOSE PRESENCE COULD LEADER TO A DE-FACTO PARTITION" OF THE PROVINCE.

VOICE: THE WEST HAS EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD OF ITS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN KOSOVO. HOWEVER, THE RESULT OF THIS WAR WILL BE JUDGED ON THE ACTIONS THAT WESTERN LEADERS TAKE NOW TO SECURE A JUST AND LASTING PEACE. LET'S HOPE THAT THEY WILL NOT AGAIN -- AS THEY DID FOLLOWING THE GULF WAR -- MISS THE CHANCE TO CREATE A MORE STABLE WORLD ORDER.

TEXT: THAT COMMENT IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL CONCLUDES TODAY'S SAMPLING OF WHAT SOME AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/WTW/GM
16-Jun-99 3:04 PM EDT (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO MASSACRES (L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: EVIDENCE OF MASSACRES AND MASS GRAVES HAS TURNED UP JUST A FEW KILOMETERS FROM PRISTINA, THE CAPITAL OF KOSOVO. VOA'S GIL BUTLER WENT TO THE VILLAGES OF MAKOVC AND LUKARE AND REPORTS ON THE GRIM FINDINGS.

TEXT: MAKOVC IS A TINY VILLAGE OF 300 HOUSES, BUT ON APRIL 17TH OR 18TH, A HORRIBLE THING HAPPENED HERE. ACCORDING TO THE VILLAGERS, A CONVOY OF REFUGEES WAS STOPPED BY SERB POLICE WHO DEMANDED MONEY. WHEN NOT ENOUGH WAS AVAILABLE, 20 OR 25 YOUNG MEN WERE TAKEN TO A FARM BUILDING ACROSS THE ROAD AND SHOT.

SOME SAY THE PEOPLE HERE WERE DECAPITATED. AN ELDERLY MAN AND HIS WIFE AND BROTHER DIED IN THEIR HOUSE WHEN IT WAS SET AFIRE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FLEE BECAUSE THEY WERE CRIPPLED.

VILLAGERS BURIED THE DEAD IN TWO LOCAL CEMETERIES. THEIR FRESH GRAVES WERE MARKED BY WOODEN STAKES TOPPED WITH RED AN YELLOW PLASTIC CUPS.

DOWN THE ROAD FROM MAKOVC, A LARGER VILLAGE OF LUKARE HAD A SIMILAR MASSACRE. HERE THE EVIDENCE WAS BURIED -- OR THEIR WAS AN ATTEMPT. A BONY WRIST WITH A WATCH STILL KEEPING TIME POKES THROUGH THE FRESHLY TURNED EARTH.

PAJAZIT KRASNIQI LED REPORTERS THROUGH HIGH GRASS TO POINT TO THE GRAVES. HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW MANY THERE ARE.

HE SAYS THERE WERE MANY BODIES NEAR THE ROAD. "WE DON'T KNOW," SAYS MR. KRASNIQI, "IT WASN'T POSSIBLE TO GO AND SEE BECAUSE THE POLICE WERE THERE."

MORE HORRORS ARE TO COME. DOWN A NARROW DIRT ROAD, A SMALL HOUSE, FLOWERS GROWING IN THE FRONT GARDEN, CONTAINS THE PARTIALLY BURNT BODY OF A MAN. HIS PANTS AND BOOTS STILL INTACT.

WITH BIRDS SINGING IN THE WARM SUN, POPPIES AND OTHER WILD FLOWERS BRIGHTENING THE FIELDS, THERE IS MORE. THE BODY OF A DECAPITATED MAN LIES BESIDE A SWIFTLY RUNNING BROOK, HIS SKULL LIES BESIDE THE BODY. ANOTHER BODY IS A FEW METERS AWAY.

THESE THREE KILLINGS TOOK PLACE NO MORE THAN A WEEK AGO. AFTER YUGOSLAVIA'S SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAD ALREADY SIGNED THE PEACE AGREEMENT.

JAHIR BERISHA (A LOCAL PERSON) TALKS ABOUT FINDING THESE BODIES.

RECENTLY, FIVE DAYS AGO I THINK. VERY BAD. THESE THINGS REALLY HAPPENED. AND THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR ALBANIANS TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH SERBIANS.

THE POLICY OF K-FOR, THE INTERNATIONAL MILITARY FORCE NOW IN CONTROL OF MUCH OF KOSOVO, IS FOR EVERY ETHNIC GROUP TO STAY HERE. BUT AS KOSOVAR ALBANIANS RETURN TO THEIR VILLAGES, MANY ETHNIC SERBS HAVE ALREADY LEFT.

HERE IN PRISTINA, SERB CAFES THAT WERE OPERATING ON TUESDAY ARE NOW SHUTTERED. (SIGNED)
NEB/MGB/PCF
16-Jun-99 12:23 PM EDT (1623 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO SERBS (L-ONLY) BY EVE CONANT (PRISTINA)

INTRO: THOUSANDS OF SERB CIVILIANS, FEARING REPRISALS FROM ETHNIC ALBANIANS, ARE POURING OUT OF KOSOVO AS THE SERB MILITARY RETREATS. VOA'S EVE CONANT REPORTS FROM THE VILLAGE OF KOSOVO POLJE NEAR PRISTINA, WHERE THE PEACEKEEPING "K-FOR" FORCES ARE URGING THE SERB POPULATION NOT TO FLEE.

TEXT: /// SOUND OF CARS HONKING AND ENGINES REVVING -- IN FULL AND UNDER ///

MORE AND MORE CARS JOIN THIS QUEUE FOR GASOLINE, WHERE HUNDREDS OF SERBS ARE WAITING TO FILL THEIR TANKS AND LEAVE KOSOVO. TO SAVE FUEL, THEY PUSH THEIR CARS TOWARDS THE PUMPS. PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED, AND GASOLINE IS IN SHORT SUPPLY. THEY WANT TO LEAVE, AND THE MOOD IS ANGRY.

TWO YOUNG SERBS WHO REFUSED TO GIVE THEIR NAMES SAY THEY ARE PLANNING TO STAY IN KOSOVO FOR NOW -- BUT ARE FILLING THEIR TANKS IN CASE THEY ARE FORCED TO CHANGE THEIR PLANS ON SHORT NOTICE.

PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF THE K-L-A ... AND THEY MUST LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.

THEY FEAR REPRISALS FROM ETHNIC ALBANIANS -- ESPECIALLY FROM THE STILL HEAVILY-ARMED FORCES OF THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. THESE SERBS SAY THE K-L-A ARE TERRORISTS AND THAT NATO HAS BEEN DUPED INTO PROTECTING THEM. AND THEY DON'T MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN K-FOR TROOPS AND THE NATO ALLIANCE, WHICH HAS BEEN BOMBING THEM FOR MONTHS. ONE OF THE YOUNG SERBS LOOKS DISGUSTED, AS A BRITISH TANK ROLLS PAST HIM.

NONETHELESS, K-FOR TROOPS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP THE SERB POPULATION CALM AND PREVENT WHAT COULD BECOME A REVERSE REFUGEE CRISIS. K-FOR'S COMMANDER, GENERAL MICHAEL JACKSON, HELD AN IMPROMPTU SPEECH TO SEVERAL THOUSAND SERBS OF KOSOVO POLJE, ASSURING THEM K-FOR IS IMPARTIAL. STILL, THE SERBS HERE ARE NOT CONVINCED.

AFTER THE MEETING, A BRITISH SOLDIER TRIES TO ASSURE A SERB WOMAN HE IS NOT A NATO SOLDIER.

SOLDIER: EXPLAIN PLEASE THAT WE ... (WOMAN RESPONDS EXCITEDLY, TO TRANSLATOR): WE WILL BOMB THEM BEFORE, BUT FROM NOW, THEY ARE NOT LOOKING AT YOU AS ENEMIES BUT AS FRIENDS. (SOLDIER): YEAH, SAY WE ARE HERE TO REPRESENT THE UNITED NATIONS.

K-FOR TROOPS ARE PLANNING SEVERAL MORE TOWN MEETINGS WITH SERB CIVILIANS IN AN ATTEMPT TO PROVE THEY ARE IMPARTIAL AND WON'T FAVOR ETHNIC ALBANIANS. BUT ONE LOOK AT THE HUNDREDS OF CARS QUEUING UP FOR GASOLINE SHOWS THE SERBS IN THIS VILLAGE WILL NEED A LOT OF CONVINCING. (SIGNED)
NEB/EC/PCF
16-Jun-99 2:48 PM EDT (1848 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES (L-ONLY) BY LAUREN COMITEAU (THE HAGUE)

INTRO: PROSECUTORS AT THE YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL IN THE HAGUE ARE PREPARING TO ENTER KOSOVO TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ATROCITIES. THEY COULD BE THERE BY THE END OF THIS WEEK. LAUREN COMITEAU REPORTS FROM THE HAGUE ON THE JOB AHEAD OF THEM.

TEXT: ALLEGED MASS GRAVES IN KACANIK. DEAD BODIES ON A MAIN ROAD NORTH OF THE CAPITAL PRISTINA. ETHNIC ALBANIANS RECLAIMING MATTRESSES, APPLIANCES, AND OTHER STOLEN GOODS FROM MAKESHIFT SERB BARRACKS.

THESE ARE THE PICTURES COMING OUT OF KOSOVO. THEY REPRESENT SOME OF THE CRIME SCENES WHERE TRIBUNAL PROSECUTORS MAY SOON BEGIN INVESTIGATIONS.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO LOWER SOME EXPECTATIONS. YOU MAY OBSERVE FROM MEDIA REPORTS THAT NEW SITES ARE BEING DISCOVERED AND THEY SAY THAT PROSECUTOR'S FORENSIC TEAMS WILL TURN UP TO EXAMINE THAT. THAT MAY NOT BE THE CASE WITH SOME OF THESE SITES.

GRAHAM BLEWITT IS THE TRIBUNAL'S DEPUTY PROSECUTOR. HE SAYS GIVEN THE EXTENT OF ALLEGED CRIMES IN KOSOVO, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO INVESTIGATE EVERY ONE. HIS OFFICE HAS ALREADY IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 12 SITES WHERE THEY'LL BE WORKING. AND MR. BLEWITT SAYS THEY'LL EVALUATE EACH NEW ONE THAT K-FOR TROOPS COME ACROSS TO SEE IF FORENSIC EXPERTS NEED TO BE DISPATCHED.

BUT WHAT PROSECUTORS HERE NEED IS EVIDENCE THAT CAN STAND UP TO SCRUTINY IN COURT ... EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE INDICTMENT OF YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC AND THE THOUSANDS OF WITNESS STATEMENTS TAKEN FROM KOSOVAR REFUGEES.

GRAHAM BLEWITT SAYS HIS INVESTIGATORS ARE IN A RACE AGAINST TIME TO COLLECT WHAT HE CALLS THE PERISHABLE "SURFACE EVIDENCE" BEFORE REFUGEES ALL RETURN AND THE HARSH COLD OF WINTER SETS IN.

BULLET CASINGS, SHELL FRAGMENTS, HUMAN SKULL FRAGMENTS THAT MIGHT BE PART OF AN EXECUTION -- IF THERE WERE SUMMARY EXECUTIONS. THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE ARE EXECUTED, SHOT IN THE HEAD WITH A HIGH-POWERED WEAPON. THE SKULL JUST EXPLODES AND YOU CAN FIND SKULL FRAGMENTS, WHICH IS EVIDENCE OF THE WAY THESE PEOPLE DIED. THAT'S THE KIND OF THING WE'RE LOOKING FOR, I REGRET TO SAY.

ONCE THE SITES ARE COVERED BY SNOW, SAYS MR. BLEWITT, AND ONCE REFUGEES START RETURNING TO CLEAR-UP, IT'S TOO LATE. AS FOR THE EXHUMATIONS OF ALLEGED MASS GRAVES, PROSECUTOR BLEWITT SAYS THAT CAN WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR, SINCE WHAT IS BURIED WILL STAY BURIED.

BUT BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL'S FORENSIC EXPERTS CAN START THEIR WORK, K-FOR TROOPS MUST SECURE THE CRIME SCENES. THAT MEANS CLEARING THEM OF LAND MINES AND BOOBY-TRAPS. ONCE K-FOR GIVES THE GO-AHEAD TO ENTER, GRAHAM BLEWITT SAYS HIS OFFICE IS READY TO SEND IN SOME 40 INVESTIGATORS. //OPT// ANOTHER 50 ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SHORTLY, MANY OF THEM ON LOAN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.

AFTER MONTHS OF WAITING, PROSECUTORS WILL FINALLY HAVE THE ACCESS TO KOSOVO THEY'VE BEEN DEMANDING. THEY SAY THAT'S A BIG IMPROVEMENT FROM THEIR INVESTIGATIONS IN BOSNIA, WHERE CRIMES WERE OFTEN COMMITTED YEARS BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO THE SCENES TO INVESTIGATE. (SIGNED)
NEB/LC/PCF/GM
16-Jun-99 12:30 PM EDT (1630 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO WAR CRIMES - L ONLY BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: TOP PENTAGON OFFICIALS SAY U-S TROOPS HAVE DETAINED TWO SERBS FOR QUESTIONING IN KOSOVO. OFFICIALS SAY IT IS NOT YET CLEAR IF THE DETAINEES ARE ACCUSED OF WAR CRIMES OR OTHER ALLEGED ACTIONS. MEANTIME, V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE REPORTS, U-S FORCES IN KOSOVO ARE GUARDING SCORES OF GRAVE SITES THAT OFFICIALS SAY MAY YIELD EVIDENCE OF WAR CRIMES.

TEXT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN MIKE DOUBLEDAY SAYS U-S ARMY SOLDIERS TOOK THE TWO SERB MEN INTO CUSTODY NEAR THE TOWN OF UROSEVAC WEDNESDAY.

I AM AWARE OF AT LEAST ONE SITUATION WHERE OUR FORCES DETAINED TWO INDIVIDUALS. BUT UNTIL WE KNOW MORE ABOUT WHETHER THEY ARE DETERMINED TO BE WAR CRIMINALS, I DON'T HAVE ANY DETAIL ON WHAT THEIR DISPOSITION IS GOING TO BE.

HUNDREDS OF REFUGEES WHO FLED KOSOVO AFTER SERB FORCES ATTACKED AND BURNED ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES ACCUSED THE YUGOSLAV TROOPS, POLICE AND PARAMILITARY FORCES OF A CAMPAIGN OF SYSTEMATIC RAPE, MURDER, PILLAGE AND TERROR. NATO OFFICIALS SAY AS OUTSIDE FORCES ENTER THE SERB PROVINCE OF KOSOVO, CONSIDERABLE EVIDENCE IS EMERGING TO SUPPORT THE REFUGEE ACCOUNTS.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS U-S MARINES AND SOLDIERS IN THE PEACEKEEPING FORCE ARE GUARDING MANY AREAS WHERE OFFICIALS SUSPECT THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT ALLEGATIONS OF WAR CRIMES.

I DON'T HAVE A TOTAL NUMBER OF GRAVE SITES WITHIN THE U-S SECTOR, BUT ONE NUMBER I HAVE HEARD SO FAR, THIS IS OF MASS GRAVE SITES, IS OVER 90.

CAPTAIN DOUBLEDAY SAYS THE WITHDRAWAL OF SERB FORCES FROM KOSOVO IS RUNNING SLIGHTLY BEHIND SCHEDULE, BUT HE EXPECTS YUGOSLAV FORCES WILL MEET SUNDAY'S DEADLINE TO BE COMPLETELY OUT OF KOSOVO. HE SAYS THE WITHDRAWAL IS GOING WELL ENOUGH THAT U-S OFFICIALS WILL SOON CONSIDER SENDING SOME OF THE 750 U-S WARPLANES ASSIGNED TO THE NATO AIR ARMADA BACK TO THEIR HOME BASES IN THE UNITED STATES OR EUROPE. (SIGNED).
NEB/JR/PHW/GM
16-Jun-99 4:14 PM EDT (2014 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP STRONGLY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS TRADERS CELEBRATED GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE U-S INFLATION RATE. V-O-A BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 10 THOUSAND 784, UP 190 POINTS OR ALMOST TWO PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT 13 HUNDRED 30, UP 29 POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX GAINED 103 POINTS OR FOUR PERCENT, ITS LARGEST ONE-DAY POINT GAIN EVER.

STOCK PRICES WERE UP FROM THE START OF TRADING IN RESPONSE TO THE U-S CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR MAY WHICH WAS UNCHANGED. THE ENCOURAGING NEWS ON INFLATION LED MANY TRADERS TO CONCLUDE THAT A SERIES OF INTEREST RATE HIKES BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD -- THE U-S CENTRAL BANK -- IS UNLIKELY. HOWEVER, MOST ANALYSTS SAY THE CENTRAL BANK WILL PROBABLY RAISE SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES BY ONE-QUARTER PERCENT LATER THIS MONTH AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE TO INSURE AGAINST INFLATIONARY PRESSURES IN THE U-S ECONOMY.

KEVIN FLANNAGAN OF THE MORGAN STANLEY DEAN WITTER INVESTMENT COMPANY BELIEVES THAT IF THE CENTRAL BANK RAISES INTEREST RATES AT THE END OF THE MONTH, IT WILL PROBABLY NOT DO IT AGAIN IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

IT IS STILL EARLY IN THE GAME BUT I THINK A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT, RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE FED WOULD PROBABLY ONLY NEED TO TIGHTEN INTEREST RATES ONE TIME.

IN BUSINESS NEWS, THE STOCK OF THE ORACLE COMPUTER SOFTWARE COMPANY SOARED MORE THAN 30 PERCENT AFTER THE COMPANY REPORTED BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED QUARTERLY EARNINGS.

AMAZON DOT COM, ONE OF THE LEADING INTERNET-BASED RETAILERS, WILL INVEST 45 MILLION DOLLARS IN SOTHEBY'S, THE 225-YEAR OLD AUCTION HOUSE. THE DEAL WILL EXPAND AMAZON'S PRESENCE IN THE GROWING ON-LINE AUCTION BUSINESS WHICH IS NOW DOMINATED BY THE E-BAY COMPANY.

STARWOOD FINANCIAL, A LEADING U-S REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT COMPANY, WILL ACQUIRE THE TRINET REALTY TRUST COMPANY FOR ONE AND ONE-HALF BILLION DOLLARS IN STOCK. SEAGRAM, THE CANADIAN-BASED BEVERAGE AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, WILL ISSUE NEW STOCK TO RAISE AN ESTIMATED TWO POINT THREE BILLION DOLLARS. SEAGRAM SAYS IT WILL USE MOST OF THE MONEY TO REDUCE DEBT.

SALES OF COCA-COLA ARE STILL BANNED IN THREE EUROPEAN NATIONS (FRANCE, LUXEMBOURG AND BELGIUM) AFTER SCORES OF CHILDREN IN BELGIUM BECAME ILL FROM DRINKING COKE. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY SAYS IT HAS IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AND ANALYSTS SAY THEY DO NOT FORESEE ANY LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO COKE'S POSITION IN THE EUROPEAN SOFT DRINK MARKET. HASBRO, WHICH HOLDS THE LICENSE TO PRODUCE OFFICIAL "STAR WARS" TOYS, SAYS SALES SO FAR ARE BETTER-THAN-EXPECTED. MORE IMPORTANT, THE COMPANY SAYS MOST AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVE STILL NOT SEEN "THE PHANTOM MENACE," THE LATEST "STAR WARS" FILM. HASBRO SAYS IT EXPECTS SALES MOMENTUM FOR THE MOVIE TOYS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PT
16-Jun-99 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] U-S / K-L-A (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: U-S OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY TO AVOID PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS WHILE DETAILS OF AN AGREEMENT ON DEMILITARIZING THE GROUP ARE BEING WORKED OUT. FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, V-O-A'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS THEY EXPECT AN AGREEMENT ON DEMILITARIZING THE K-L-A TO BE WORKED OUT SOON.

TALKS WITH K-L-A REPRESENTATIVES HAVE BEEN UNDERWAY IN TIRANA, ALBANIA, AND UNNAMED BRITISH OFFICIALS ARE QUOTED AS SAYING THE FRAMEWORK OF A DEAL HAS ALREADY BEEN REACHED.

DURING LAST YEAR'S PEACE TALKS IN RAMBOUILLET, FRANCE, THE K-L-A PLEDGED IT WOULD DEMILITARIZE, AND TRANSFORM ITSELF FROM A GUERRILLA ARMY INTO A POLITICAL FORCE.

BUT ARMED K-L-A MEMBERS HAVE BEEN MOVING QUICKLY TO TAKE UP POSITIONS INSIDE KOSOVO, AND HAVE SO FAR SHOWN LITTLE INTEREST IN GIVING UP THEIR WEAPONS.

U-S MARINES DISARMED A GROUP OF ABOUT 100 K-L-A FIGHTERS IN KOSOVO WEDNESDAY, IN AN INCIDENT STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN JAMES FOLEY DESCRIBED AS TROUBLING.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCIDENTS, WHICH WHEN THEY OCCUR ARE TROUBLING. AND SO WE CONTINUE TO REINFORCE OUR MESSAGE TO THE K-L-A OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO PEACE AND STABILITY IN KOSOVO.

OFFICIALS POINT OUT THAT AN AGREEMENT TO DEMILITARIZE THE K-L-A DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN EVERY WEAPON WILL HAVE TO BE TURNED IN. AND SOME K-L-A FIGHTERS MAY WELL BECOME MEMBERS OF THE POLICE FORCE THAT IS TO BE ORGANIZED BY INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVO.

UNTIL THOSE KINDS OF ARRANGEMENTS ARE SORTED OUT, OFFICIALS SAY K-FOR PEACEKEEPERS WILL HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE MEANS TO DEAL WITH ANY SITUATION.

OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE BOUND TO BE FURTHER INCIDENTS IN THE VOLATILE SITUATION THAT EXISTS WHILE SERB FORCES COMPLETE THEIR WITHDRAWAL AND K-FOR PEACEKEEPERS TAKE FULL CONTROL OF THE PROVINCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/KK/GM
16-Jun-99 4:52 PM EDT (2052 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] UNHCR KOSOVO AID (L-ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

INTRO: UNITED NATIONS ALONG WITH PRIVATE AID AGENCIES ARE STEPPING UP THEIR RELIEF EFFORTS AS THEY RETURN TO KOSOVO. LISA SCHLEIN IN GENEVA REPORTS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS EXPANDING ITS OPERATIONS IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SERBIAN PROVINCE.

TEXT: THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS ITS AID DELIVERY "PIPELINE" FROM MACEDONIA TO KOSOVO IS FLOWING SMOOTHLY. IT SAYS ANOTHER SEVEN-TRUCK CONVOY OF AID ARRIVED IN THE KOSOVO CAPITAL, PRISTINA, ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

ON TUESDAY, THE UNITED NATIONS SENT IN TEAMS TO ASSESS CONDITIONS IN THREE DIFFERENT AREAS OF KOSOVO. AS A RESULT OF THIS FACT-FINDING MISSION, SPOKESWOMAN JUDITH KUMIN SAYS THE U-N REFUGEE AGENCY IS OPENING AN OFFICE IN PRIZREN, LOCATED IN SOUTH-CENTRAL KOSOVO. //OPT// IN ADDITION, SHE SAYS UNICEF, THE U-N CHILDREN'S FUND, IS COMING TO PRIZREN WITH MATERIAL TO HELP PROMOTE MINE AWARENESS. AND, A PRIVATE AID GROUP, CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES, ALSO IS SETTING UP OPERATIONS THERE. //END OPT//

THE OTHER ASSESSMENT VISIT WE MADE YESTERDAY WAS TO UROSEVAC, MAINLY TO FIND AND SET UP A WAREHOUSE SO WE COULD MAKE FOOD DELIVERIES. AND, TODAY WE'RE GOING TO LOCATE OFFICE PREMISES THERE. AND WE HOPE TO OPEN OUR OFFICE IN UROSEVAC TODAY (WEDNESDAY). THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE HEADING OUT OF MACEDONIA ARE DESTINED FOR, OR COMING TO, UROSEVAC SO WE NEED TO HAVE A PRESENCE THERE AS OF TODAY.

THE UNITED NATIONS ESTIMATES NEARLY THREE-THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE RETURNED TO KOSOVO FROM MACEDONIA SINCE THE BORDERS REOPENED IN RECENT DAYS. AND, AROUND FIVE-THOUSAND OTHERS REPORTEDLY LEFT ALBANIA ON TUESDAY, HEADING FOR PRIZREN.

[12] VILLAGERS RETURN (L-ONLY) BY GIL BUTLER (PRISTINA)

INTRO: ONE DAY AFTER THE LAST OF THE YUGOSLAV FORCES LEFT SOUTHERN KOSOVO, ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES. GIL BUTLER TRAVELLED TO THE FARMING VILLAGE OF NIKOVC, WHERE EVERY HOUSE HAD BEEN BURNED.

TEXT: THEY HAVE BEEN RETURNING FROM THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THEY TOOK SHELTER IN THE FARM WAGONS THEY LEFT IN. CAHIT KASTRATI IS THE 67-YEAR-OLD PATRIARCH OF A FAMILY THAT ONCE NUMBERED 34. HE SAYS HIS SON WAS KILLED BY SERB POLICE THE DAY THEY FLED.

HIS FARM COMPOUND INCLUDES A TWO-STORY MAIN HOUSE AND THREE HOUSES WHERE HIS SONS AND HIS GRANDCHILDREN LIVED. NOW IT IS ALL WRECKAGE. NONE OF THE BUILDINGS HAVE ROOFS. THE MAIN HOUSE WAS HEAVILY DAMAGED BY FIRE AND LOOTED OF ALL ITS CONTENTS. THE WALLS ARE PARTLY DESTROYED IN THE THREE DEPENDENT BUILDINGS. EVEN THE OLIVE TREES WERE CUT DOWN.

FOR THE KASTRATI FAMILY, IT ALL BEGAN ON APRIL THIRD, WHEN SERB FORCES STORMED THEIR FARM AND KILLED ONE OF THE KASTRATI SONS. THEY WENT TO THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THE K-L-A -- THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY -- HAD ITS BASES. IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME.

HE SAYS THEY LIVED VERY BADLY. THEY HAD LITTLE TO EAT, EXCEPT BREAD AND MACARONI. THEY WERE SHELTERED UNDER PLASTIC SHEETS AND WERE COLD.

REXHEP KRIASNIQI IS A VILLAGER FROM NIKOVC. HE IS ALSO A FIGHTER WITH THE K-L-A.

HE SAYS THE K-L-A LED THE VILLAGERS UP TO THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THEY TRIED TO CARE FOR THEM -- GIVE FOOD, SHELTER AND SECURITY ... AND AT THE SAME TIME, THEY WERE FIGHTING THE YUGOSLAV ARMY.

IN THE REGION SOUTHWEST OF PRISTINA, VILLAGE AFTER VILLAGE APPEARS EITHER DESERTED OR JUST BEING REOCCUPIED AS ETHNIC ALBANIANS RETURN FROM THEIR HIDING PLACES. ALL OF THEM HAVE A COMMON FEATURE -- BURNED HOUSES, WITHOUT ROOFS.

MR. KRIASNIQI LISTED ALL THE VILLAGERS HE KNOWS ABOUT WHO TOOK SHELTER IN THE MOUNTAINS. THE NUMBERS GO A LONG WAY TOWARD EXPLAINING ONE OF THE MYSTERIES OF THE KOSOVO CONFLICT -- HOW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ETHNIC ALBANIANS SURVIVED INSIDE KOSOVO.

[13] WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS BY WALTER WISNIEWSKI (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE RECENT NAVAL CLASHES BETWEEN SOUTH KOREA AND NORTH KOREA, THE TRANSITION OF POWER IN SOUTH AFRICA AND A NEW DEBT-RELIEF PLAN FOR THE WORLD'S POOREST NATIONS ARE SOME OF THE TOPICS AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE CONSIDERING IN THEIR OPINION COLUMNS. HERE WITH A SAMPLING IS ___________ WITH TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: NAVAL DUELS BETWEEN PATROL BOATS FROM NORTH KOREA AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE INCREASED POLITICAL TEMPERATURES IN THAT REGION TO THE BOILING POINT. FLORIDA'S ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS, IF THINGS DO NOT COOL DOWN QUICKLY, OTHER NATIONS -- INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES, "COULD FIND THEMSELVES IN A BUBBLING CAULDRON OF INTERNATIONAL TURMOIL":

VOICE: UNLIKE IN KOSOVO, WHERE THE UNITED STATES HAS MINIMAL INTERESTS, THIS NATION HAS A TREMENDOUS STAKE IN MAINTAINING PEACE IN EAST ASIA. THAT REGION SERVES AS A KEY CENTER OF COMMERCE FOR U-S TRADE. ... IT ALSO CONTAINS SEVERAL CRITICAL AMERICAN ALLIES, SUCH AS JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA. AND THE U-S MILITARY MAINTAINS A SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE AND SECURITY COMMITMENTS THROUGHOUT THE AREA.

TEXT: THE ORLANDO SENTINEL SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA SHOULD PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE KOREAN SITUATION AND COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER TO RESOLVE TENSIONS. THE BALTIMORE SUN AGREES:

VOICE: CHINA WANTS PEACE AND ACCOMMODATION BETWEEN THE TWO KOREAS. SO DOES THE UNITED STATES. THE TWO SUPERPOWERS MUTUALLY WANT NO ... WAR WITH NUCLEAR POTENTIAL ROILING THE YELLOW SEA.

TEXT: DEBT IS A CRUSHING BURDEN FOR DOZENS OF POOR NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. SIMPLY TRYING TO PAY THE INTEREST ON THEIR LOANS FORCES MANY GOVERNMENTS TO PUT OFF SPENDING ON EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SAYS THIS IS A SURE STRATEGY TO IMPOVERISH FUTURE GENERATIONS.

VOICE: // OPT // THIS CRISIS IS WORST IN AFRICA, WHERE DEBT-REPAYMENT SOAKS UP 60 PERCENT OF SOME COUNTRIES' BUDGETS. THIS UNFORTUNATE CONTINENT SPENDS FOUR TIMES AS MUCH REPAYING FOREIGN DEBT AS IT INVESTS IN HEALTH CARE. // END OPT // IN 1996, THE WORLD'S RICHEST COUNTRIES AGREED ON A PLAN FOR LIMITED DEBT RELIEF, BUT ... [IT] DOESN'T PROVIDE ENOUGH DEBT RELIEF, AND IT MAKES NATIONS WAIT UP TO SIX YEARS. ... AT THEIR MEETING IN GERMANY THIS WEEK [JUNE 18-19], THE UNITED STATES AND THE OTHER G-7 [GROUP OF SEVEN] NATIONS WILL CONSIDER A NEW PLAN THAT WOULD PROVIDE MORE RELIEF, SHORTEN THE WAITING PERIOD AND INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COUNTRIES THAT CAN QUALIFY.

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS ALMOST NO ONE OPPOSES THE IDEA OF DEBT RELIEF FOR THE POOREST NATIONS, BUT THE NEW PLAN WILL NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH HELP.

VOICE: ADVOCACY GROUPS ARGUE THAT THE IMPROVEMENT IS SO MARGINAL THAT THE PLAN STILL WON'T SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE POVERTY OR PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT. MOZAMBIQUE, FOR EXAMPLE, OWES ABOUT 108-MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR. THE CURRENT INITIATIVE [THE 1996 PLAN] WOULD REDUCE ITS DEBT TO ABOUT 96-MILLION DOLLARS, WHILE THE NEW PROPOSAL WOULD REDUCE IT TO 80-MILLION DOLLARS. ... THAT BURDEN WOULD STILL BE FOUR TIMES MOZAMBIQUE'S BUDGET FOR PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.

TEXT: THE WASHINGTON POST SAYS THE DEVELOPED WORLD COULD EASILY AFFORD TO BE MORE GENEROUS.

TURNING TO EVENTS THIS WEEK IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE SAYS "A REMARKABLY CALM, BUSINESSLIKE ATMOSPHERE" DOMINATED NELSON MANDELA'S PASSING OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SEAL TO HIS SUCCESSOR, THABO MBEKI.

VOICE: THAT ORDER AND DECORUM WERE A TRIBUTE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE MAN WHO WAS LEAVING THE OFFICE. FEW LEADERS ON THE WORLD SCENE TODAY CAN MATCH THE MAJESTY OF [MR.] MANDELA. THE INTELLECT, SPIRITUAL STRENGTH AND CHARISMATIC PRESENCE THAT KEPT HIM GOING THROUGH ALMOST THREE DECADES OF POLITICAL IMPRISONMENT ALSO KEPT SOUTH AFRICA STEADY THROUGH WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TUMULTUOUS TRANSITION. // OPT // [MR.] MANDELA'S LEADERSHIP, HIS REMARKABLE LACK OF BITTERNESS AND HIS UNBEATABLE SENSE OF HUMOR GAVE STRENGTH AND OPTIMISM TO HIS NATION. HE ALSO SET A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE FOR OTHER LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD. // END OPT //

TEXT: THE NEW YORK NEWSPAPER NEWSDAY PAYS TRIBUTE TO ANOTHER PRAISEWORTHY FIGURE IN ITS COLUMNS -- ROSA PARKS, A HERO OF THE AMERICAN CIVIL-RIGHTS MOVEMENT WHO HAS JUST RECEIVED THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL, ONE OF THE NATION'S HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONORS. NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO, MRS. PARKS WAS ARRESTED IN THE SOUTHERN STATE OF ALABAMA FOR DEFYING RULES THAT IMPOSED SEGREGATION ON PUBLIC FACILITIES SUCH AS BUSES. HER ACTION ULTIMATELY LED TO A COURT DECISION STRIKING DOWN SUCH RULES REQUIRING SEPARATION OF THE RACES. NEWSDAY SAYS THERE IS AN ENDURING LESSON FROM THOSE EARLY DAYS OF THE CIVIL-RIGHTS MOVEMENT:

VOICE: REMEMBER THAT THE UNITED STATES UNDERWENT NOTHING SHORT OF A REVOLUTION DURING THE CIVIL-RIGHTS ERA. DESPITE THE TURMOIL AND SOCIAL UNREST, THE NATION EMERGED IMMEASURABLY BETTER. REMEMBER, TOO, THAT THE UNPOPULAR, THE DISENFRANCHISED AND THE OUTCAST HAVE A RIGHT TO STAND UP AND BE HEARD IN THIS SOCIETY. AND SOCIETY HAS A DUTY TO LISTEN.

TEXT: WITH THAT COMMENT WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF U-S NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS (FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16TH). (SIGNED)
NEB/WTW/GM
16-Jun-99 4:26 PM EDT (2026 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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