Voice of America, 99-07-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] CONGRESS / CLINTON / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[02] KOSOVO AND THE CAUCASUS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[03] KOSOVO AND THE CAUCASUS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

[04] KOSOVO BODIES (S ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[05] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY ANNIE LU (NEW YORK)

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

[07] SENATE-KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[08] SENATE-KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[09] SENATE-KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[10] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

[11] U-S FORCES / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

[01] CONGRESS / CLINTON / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: THE BITTERNESS OF LAST YEAR'S IMPEACHMENT DEBATE CONTINUES TO LINGER IN THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO COMMEND PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR THE SUCCESSFUL MILITARY OPERATION AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, DEMOCRATS USED A PARLIAMENTARY MANEUVER TO BRING THE MEASURE BEFORE THE HOUSE. V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS.

TEXT: THE DEBATE WAS LOUD, EMOTIONAL, AND OFTEN ANGRY. EVERYBODY AGREED ON THE NEED TO PRAISE U-S MILITARY FORCES FOR THEIR WORK IN THE BALKANS. BUT MANY REPUBLICANS OBJECTED TO LANGUAGE COMMENDING BILL CLINTON AND HIS ADMINISTRATION.

TEXAS CONGRESSMAN TOM DELAY - - ONE OF THE PRESIDENT'S BIGGEST CRITICS IN CONGRESS - - SAID MR. CLINTON'S POLICIES LED THE UNITED STATES INTO A WAR IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE ENTERED AT ALL.

FOR US TO CALL THIS A VICTORY AND COMMEND THE PRESIDENT AS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF FOR SHOWING GREAT LEADERSHIP IN OPERATION ALLIED FORCE IS A FARCE.

DEMOCRATS ACCUSED THE MAJORITY PARTY OF BLATANT PARTISANSHIP. GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS WAS BLUNT.

IS THE DISLIKE SO INTENSE...THE HATRED SO GREAT OF PRESIDENT CLINTON...THAT THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY CANNOT BRING ITSELF TO COMMEND OUR TROOPS AND CONGRATULATE THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS LEADERSHIP?

SUPPORTERS OF THE PRESIDENT SPENT WEEKS TRYING TO GET A SEPARATE BILL COMMENDING BOTH THE TROOPS AND MR. CLINTON BEFORE THE FULL HOUSE FOR A VOTE. WHEN THAT EFFORT PROVED UNSUCCESSFUL, THEY ASKED LAWMAKERS TO ADD THE LANGUAGE TO PENDING LEGISLATION. THE HOUSE AGREED BY A VOTE OF 261 - 162 . BUT LARGE NUMBERS OF REPUBLICANS VOTED "NO." (SIGNED)
NEB/PW/GM
01-Jul-99 4:50 PM EDT (2050 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] KOSOVO AND THE CAUCASUS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EXCEPT FOR OCCASIONAL GUNFIRE, AN UNEASY CALM HAS SETTLED OVER NAGORNO-KARABAKH, THE TERRITORY IN DISPUTE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IN THE CAUCASUS. WHILE IT BELONGS TO AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA HAS SEIZED EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF IT. THERE IS LITTLE SIGN OF RESOLVING THE CONFLICT, JUDGING FROM A RECENT SPEECH BY THE ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS HIS COMMENTS AND A RESPONSE BY AN AMERICAN ANALYST.

TEXT: EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO DRAW LESSONS FROM THE WAR IN KOSOVO, SAYS LONGTIME STRATEGIC ANALYST PAUL HENZE. THAT WOULD APPLY TO ARMENIA'S AMBASSADOR VARTAN OSKANIAN, WHO COMPARES THE DISPUTED TERRITORY OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH TO KOSOVO.

IN A SPEECH AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON (TUES., JUNE 29), THE AMBASSADOR ACCUSED AZERBAIJAN OF ACTING LIKE SERBIA WHEN IT IN MISTREATED A REGION LARGELY POPULATED BY ARMENIANS. HE SAID AZERBAIJAN, LIKE SERBIA'S PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, IGNORED THE WISHES OF THE MAJORITY AND LABELED THEIR LEADERS RADICALS AND TERRORISTS. IN DEFIANCE, THE ARMENIANS REBELLED AND TOOK CONTROL OF THE ENCLAVE:

WHAT WE HAVE TODAY ON THE GROUND IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE MILITARY AND BRUTAL SUPPRESSION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH SELF-DETERMINATION. KARABAKH WAS SUBJECTED TO ETHNIC CLEANSING, AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KARABAKH AND KOSOVO IS THAT OUR K-L-A AT THAT TIME WAS MUCH STRONGER THAN KOSOVO'S K-L-A WAS AND IS TODAY. WE DID BASICALLY NATO'S JOB. WHAT NATO HAS DONE RECENTLY IN KOSOVO, ARMENIANS HAVE DONE FOR THEMSELVES.

PAUL HENZE TAKES EXCEPTION TO THE AMBASSADOR'S KOSOVO ANALOGY:

ARMENIA OCCUPIES UP TO 25 PER CENT OF AZERBAIJAN. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 500 THOUSAND AND A MILLION AZERIS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE WHAT PARALLEL THERE IS WITH KOSOVO. THE ETHNIC CLEANSING HAS BEEN MORE ON THE AZERBAIJAN SIDE THAN IT HAS BEEN ON THE ARMENIAN SIDE. AZERBAIJAN IS CLEARLY THE AGGRIEVED PARTY

ASKED ABOUT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN ARMENIA, AMBASSADOR OSKANIAN SAID MOSCOW HAS STATIONED TROOPS IN HIS COUNTRY, WHICH ALSO RECEIVES RUSSIAN WEAPONRY. BUT HE INSISTED ARMENIA SEEKS A BALANCE BETWEEN THE LARGER POWERS:

ARMENIA HAS NOT AND WILL NOT PUT ITSELF IN A POSTION OF CHOOSING BETWEEN RUSSIA OR THE UNITED STATES. THERE IS NO SUCH ISSUE. THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AFTER THE COLD WAR DOES NOT WARRANT THAT KIND OF SELECTION. LET US NOT FORGET THAT RUSSIA HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY THERE IN OUR REGION. THEY WILL BE INVOLVED IN A POSITIVE WAY, AND WE NEED TO ENGAGE THEM. MAYBE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THE INSTABILITY IN OUR REGION IS THE ADVERSARIAL POLICIES OF AZERBAIJAN VIS-A-VIS RUSSIA.

AMBASSADOR OSKANIAN SAID IF AZERBAIJAN CAN ASK FOR MILITARY HELP FROM NATO AND THE UNITED STATES, ARMENIA IS ENTITLED TO AID FROM RUSSIA. BUT ARMENIA ALSO GETS SOME HELP FROM ITS POWERFUL LOBBY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE U-S SENATE HAS VOTED (WEDNESDAY, 6-30) TO UPHOLD A BAN ON U-S AID TO AZERBAIJAN.

PAUL HENZE IS SKEPTICAL OF RUSSIAN INTENTIONS IN ARMENIA:

I MYSELF WAS INVOLVED IN MEETINGS IN THE LATE 1980'S BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND AZERIS, WHERE BOTH BLAMED RUSSIA FOR THEIR PROBLEMS. WHETHER RUSSIA IS REALLY TO BE BLAMED FOR CONTINUATION OF IT IS HARD TO SAY AT THE PRESENT TIME, BUT A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE SOVIETS CAUSED AS THE SOVIET UNION WAS COLLAPSING HAVE CONTINUED. THE DAMAGE WAS DONE, AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.

MR. HENZE SAYS NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND THE REST OF THE CAUCASUS NEED LESS MILITARY MEDDLING FROM OUTSIDE, BUT MORE CONSTRUCTIVE DIPLOMACY WITHIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
30-Jun-99 9:39 PM EDT (0139 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] KOSOVO AND THE CAUCASUS BY ED WARNER (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: EXCEPT FOR OCCASIONAL GUNFIRE, AN UNEASY CALM HAS SETTLED OVER NAGORNO-KARABAKH, THE TERRITORY IN DISPUTE BETWEEN ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IN THE CAUCASUS. WHILE IT BELONGS TO AZERBAIJAN, ARMENIA HAS SEIZED EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF IT. THERE IS LITTLE SIGN OF RESOLVING THE CONFLICT, JUDGING FROM A RECENT SPEECH BY THE ARMENIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES. VOA'S ED WARNER REPORTS HIS COMMENTS AND A RESPONSE BY AN AMERICAN ANALYST.

TEXT: EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO DRAW LESSONS FROM THE WAR IN KOSOVO, SAYS LONGTIME STRATEGIC ANALYST PAUL HENZE. THAT WOULD APPLY TO ARMENIA'S AMBASSADOR VARTAN OSKANIAN, WHO COMPARES THE DISPUTED TERRITORY OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH TO KOSOVO.

IN A SPEECH AT THE CENTER FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES IN WASHINGTON (TUES., JUNE 29), THE AMBASSADOR ACCUSED AZERBAIJAN OF ACTING LIKE SERBIA WHEN IT IN MISTREATED A REGION LARGELY POPULATED BY ARMENIANS. HE SAID AZERBAIJAN, LIKE SERBIA'S PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC, IGNORED THE WISHES OF THE MAJORITY AND LABELED THEIR LEADERS RADICALS AND TERRORISTS. IN DEFIANCE, THE ARMENIANS REBELLED AND TOOK CONTROL OF THE ENCLAVE:

WHAT WE HAVE TODAY ON THE GROUND IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE MILITARY AND BRUTAL SUPPRESSION OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH SELF-DETERMINATION. KARABAKH WAS SUBJECTED TO ETHNIC CLEANSING, AND THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KARABAKH AND KOSOVO IS THAT OUR K-L-A AT THAT TIME WAS MUCH STRONGER THAN KOSOVO'S K-L-A WAS AND IS TODAY. WE DID BASICALLY NATO'S JOB. WHAT NATO HAS DONE RECENTLY IN KOSOVO, ARMENIANS HAVE DONE FOR THEMSELVES.

PAUL HENZE TAKES EXCEPTION TO THE AMBASSADOR'S KOSOVO ANALOGY:

ARMENIA OCCUPIES UP TO 25 PER CENT OF AZERBAIJAN. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 500 THOUSAND AND A MILLION AZERIS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED. UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SEE WHAT PARALLEL THERE IS WITH KOSOVO. THE ETHNIC CLEANSING HAS BEEN MORE ON THE AZERBAIJAN SIDE THAN IT HAS BEEN ON THE ARMENIAN SIDE. AZERBAIJAN IS CLEARLY THE AGGRIEVED PARTY

ASKED ABOUT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE IN ARMENIA, AMBASSADOR OSKANIAN SAID MOSCOW HAS STATIONED TROOPS IN HIS COUNTRY, WHICH ALSO RECEIVES RUSSIAN WEAPONRY. BUT HE INSISTED ARMENIA SEEKS A BALANCE BETWEEN THE LARGER POWERS:

ARMENIA HAS NOT AND WILL NOT PUT ITSELF IN A POSTION OF CHOOSING BETWEEN RUSSIA OR THE UNITED STATES. THERE IS NO SUCH ISSUE. THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AFTER THE COLD WAR DOES NOT WARRANT THAT KIND OF SELECTION. LET US NOT FORGET THAT RUSSIA HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY THERE IN OUR REGION. THEY WILL BE INVOLVED IN A POSITIVE WAY, AND WE NEED TO ENGAGE THEM. MAYBE SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THE INSTABILITY IN OUR REGION IS THE ADVERSARIAL POLICIES OF AZERBAIJAN VIS-A-VIS RUSSIA.

AMBASSADOR OSKANIAN SAID IF AZERBAIJAN CAN ASK FOR MILITARY HELP FROM NATO AND THE UNITED STATES, ARMENIA IS ENTITLED TO AID FROM RUSSIA. BUT ARMENIA ALSO GETS SOME HELP FROM ITS POWERFUL LOBBY IN THE UNITED STATES. THE U-S SENATE HAS VOTED (WEDNESDAY, 6-30) TO UPHOLD A BAN ON U-S AID TO AZERBAIJAN.

PAUL HENZE IS SKEPTICAL OF RUSSIAN INTENTIONS IN ARMENIA:

I MYSELF WAS INVOLVED IN MEETINGS IN THE LATE 1980'S BETWEEN ARMENIANS AND AZERIS, WHERE BOTH BLAMED RUSSIA FOR THEIR PROBLEMS. WHETHER RUSSIA IS REALLY TO BE BLAMED FOR CONTINUATION OF IT IS HARD TO SAY AT THE PRESENT TIME, BUT A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE SOVIETS CAUSED AS THE SOVIET UNION WAS COLLAPSING HAVE CONTINUED. THE DAMAGE WAS DONE, AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.

MR. HENZE SAYS NAGORNO-KARABAKH AND THE REST OF THE CAUCASUS NEED LESS MILITARY MEDDLING FROM OUTSIDE, BUT MORE CONSTRUCTIVE DIPLOMACY WITHIN. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
30-Jun-99 9:39 PM EDT (0139 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] KOSOVO BODIES (S ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: GERMAN AND DUTCH TROOPS SAY THEY HAVE DISCOVERED AT LEAST 150 BODIES IN SOUTHWESTERN KOSOVO. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: SOME OF THE BODIES ARE IN MASS GRAVES. OTHERS ARE OUT IN THE OPEN IN A RURAL LOCATION NEAR THE SOUTHWESTERN KOSOVO VILLAGE OF VELIKA KRUSHA.

GERMAN FORCES HAVE SECURED THE AREA, AND THE COUNTING OF BODIES CONTINUES. INVESTIGATORS FOR THE U-N YUGOSLAV WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL ALSO ARE ON THE SCENE.

THE VICTIMS ARE ETHNIC ALBANIANS, BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN MURDERED BY SERBIAN FORCES. THIS IS REPORTED TO BE ONE OF THE WORST MASS MURDERS DISCOVERED SO FAR IN THE PROVINCE.

VILLAGES IN THE REGION SAY ALL WERE VICTIMS OF A MASSACRE BY SERB FORCES ONE DAY AFTER NATO BOMBING BEGAN. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/JWH/RAE
01-Jul-99 11:54 AM EDT (1554 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] KOSOVO REFUGEES (L-ONLY) BY ANNIE LU (NEW YORK)

INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS THAT HALF A MILLION KOSOVO REFUGEES HAVE ALREADY RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. V-O-A'S ANNIE LU REPORTS FROM NEW YORK

TEXT: A TOP U-N REFUGEE OFFICIAL SAYS THE RETURN OF REFUGEES TO KOSOVO IS HAPPENING AT WHAT HE CALLS LIGHTNING SPEED. SOREN JESSEN-PETERSEN (YESSEN-PETERSON), ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES -- U-N-H-C-R -- TOLD REPORTERS THAT THIS WEEK THE REFUGEE AGENCY BEGAN WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS AN ORGANIZED RETURN, BRINGING REFUGEES WITHOUT OTHER TRANSPORT BACK TO KOSOVO BY BUS AND TRAIN. THE AGENCY IS INITIALLY RETURNING THE REFUGEES TO THREE TOWNS, PRISTINA, PRIZREN, AND UROSEVAC, AND WILL ADD OTHER TOWNS WHEN IT DECIDES SECURITY IS IN PLACE.

THE ASSISTANT HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS PEOPLE WANT TO GO BACK TO REBUILD THEIR HOMES AND PREPARE FOR A DIFFICULT WINTER. BUT HE ALSO EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT THE PROBLEMS AHEAD.

THERE IS AN ECONOMIC VACUUM. THAT IS WORRYING BECAUSE U-N-H-C-R AND OUR PARTNERS -- NOTABLY WORLD FOOD PROGRAM AND UNICEF (CHILDREN'S FUND) -- CAN HELP WITH IMMEDIATE RELIEF, WHICH WE ARE DOING EVERYDAY, WITH IMMEDIATE REPAIR OF SHELTER. BUT WE CAN NOT, WE DO NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY NOR THE RESOURCES TO ENGAGE IN THE LARGER RECONSTRUCTION WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO CONSOLIDATE THE RETURN. SO WE ARE VERY WORRIED ABOUT THAT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME EVIDENTLY WELCOMING THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GO BACK.

THE U-N OFFICIAL CRITICIZES THE WORLD COMMUNITY FOR NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH AID TO ENSURE THE SAFE RETURN OF KOSOVO REFUGEES. THE REFUGEE AGENCY ALONE, HE SAYS, IS 140 MILLION DOLLARS SHORT OF FUNDS. OTHER AGENCIES SUCH AS THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM, HE ADDS, HAVE ONLY RECEIVED 30 TO 40 PERCENT OF THE REQUIRED FUNDS TO PROVIDE RELIEF. SINCE MOST OF THE REFUGEES PLAN TO RETURN TO KOSOVO BEFORE THE WINTER, MR. JESSEN-PETERSEN URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION.

AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON A MILITARY CAMPAIGN WHICH WAS INTENDED TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE RETURN OF REFUGEES -- AND WE HAVE GOT THERE -- IT IS A PITY THAT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO SPEND WHAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR TO SEE THE REFUGEES MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THEIR VILLAGES AND REINTEGRATE THEMSELVES.

MR. JESSEN-PETERSEN EXPRESSES CONCERN THAT A NEW REFUGEE CRISIS IS BEING CREATED BY SERBS FLEEING KOSOVO. HE SAYS MORE THAN 50-THOUSAND SERBS HAVE ALREADY LEFT THE PROVINCE. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/ACL/LSF/GM
01-Jul-99 4:58 PM EDT (2058 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE UP TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH TWO MAJOR AVERAGES CLOSING AT RECORD HIGHS FOR THE SECOND DAY IN A ROW. VOA BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 11-THOUSAND-66, UP 95 POINTS OR ALMOST ONE PERCENT. THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 13-HUNDRED 80, UP EIGHT POINTS. THE NASDAQ INDEX CLOSED AT A RECORD HIGH 27-HUNDRED-SIX, UP 20 POINTS.

THERE WAS SOME NERVOUSNESS ON WALL STREET EARLY IN THE SESSION AFTER A REPORT THAT U-S MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY ROSE IN JUNE TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL IN TWO YEARS. THAT SET OFF CONCERN THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MAY AGAIN RAISE INTEREST RATES AT ITS NEXT MEETING IN AUGUST. BUT THERE WAS ALSO EVIDENCE THE U-S ECONOMY MAY BE COOLING. CONSTRUCTION SPENDING FELL IN MAY FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE MONTH. MANY ANALYSTS SAY THE REAL KEY TO THE INTEREST RATE QUESTION WILL BE THE NEXT TWO U-S EMPLOYMENT REPORTS. JUNE'S EMPLOYMENT FIGURES WILL BE RELEASED FRIDAY.

JAMES MAGUIRE OF THE HENDERSON BROTHERS INVESTMENT COMPANY SAYS WALL STREET WILL BE FOCUSING ON THE NUMBER OF NEW JOBS CREATED IN THE U-S ECONOMY LAST MONTH.

I THINK WE ARE EXPECTING A PAYROLL INCREASE OF 215-THOUSAND OR SO. IF IT COMES IN MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT, THEN IT MAY BE CAUSE FOR SOME CONCERN.

THE STOCK OF STARBUCKS, THE GOURMET COFFEE COMPANY, LOST ALMOST A THIRD OF ITS VALUE AFTER THE COMPANY WARNED THAT QUARTERLY EARNINGS WILL FALL FAR SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS.

THE STOCK OF THE COMMERCE ONE COMPANY TRIPLED IN VALUE ON ITS FIRST DAY OF TRADING. COMMERCE ONE PROVIDES SOFTWARE USED IN BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS INTERNET TRANSACTIONS.

THE DUPONT CHEMICAL COMPANY SAYS IT WILL RESTRUCTURE ITS TWO-BILLION DOLLAR INSECTICIDE BUSINESS, A MOVE THAT WILL INVOLVE THE ELIMINATION OF 800 JOBS, OR ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF THE DIVISION'S WORK FORCE.

ONE OF THE LARGEST U-S APARTMENT HOUSE OWNERS WILL BECOME LARGER. EQUITY RESIDENTIAL TRUST WILL ACQUIRE THE LEXFORD TRUST IN A DEAL WORTH MORE THAN 700 MILLION DOLLARS. THE COMBINED COMPANY WILL OWN MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND RENTAL APARTMENT HOUSES IN 36 STATES.

THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS FILED A MAJOR AGE DISCRIMINATION SUIT AGAINST THE VENATOR CORPORATION. THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION SAYS VENATOR FIRED HUNDREDS OF OLD WORKERS AND REPLACED THEM WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AT ITS WOOLWORTH VARIETY STORES. IT IS ILLEGAL IN THE UNITED STATES TO FIRE ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 40 FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN THEIR AGE. VENATOR HAD NO STATEMENT ON THE COMPLAINT, SAYING IT NEVER COMMENTS ON PENDING LITIGATION. (SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/GM
01-Jul-99 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] SENATE-KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: NATO'S COMMANDING GENERAL SAYS HE CAN NOT PREDICT HOW LONG THE ALLIES MIGHT STAY IN KOSOVO, BECAUSE THAT DEPENDS ON WHETHER YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC KEEPS HIS POWER. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: TESTIFYING ON CAPITOL HILL (THURSDAY) GENERAL WESLEY CLARK DOWNPLAYED THE NOTION THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT IS LOSING CONTROL. WHILE PRAISING THE COURAGE OF OPPOSITION LEADERS, THE GENERAL SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC STILL HAS THE ARMY AND SECRET POLICE -- AND IS SKILLED AT DIVIDING HIS ENEMIES.

I SEE THAT THE OPPOSITION IS FRAGMENTED AND WEAK. IT IS BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY A DECADE OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S MANEUVERING, DIVIDING THE OPPOSITION, SUBORNING THE OPPOSITION AND BASICALLY HIS CAMPAIGN OF COVERT TERROR.

GENERAL CLARK ADDS MR. MILOSEVIC MAY BE PLANNING A MOVE AGAINST (THE SMALLER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF) MONTENEGRO. HE SAYS THE SERBIAN LEADER IS PREPARING FORCES, GATHERING INTELLIGENCE AND WAGING A LOW-LEVEL ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN THE AREA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/LTD/RAE
01-Jul-99 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] SENATE-KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: NATO'S COMMANDING GENERAL SAYS HE CAN NOT PREDICT HOW LONG THE ALLIES MIGHT STAY IN KOSOVO, BECAUSE THAT DEPENDS ON WHETHER YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC KEEPS HIS POWER. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: TESTIFYING ON CAPITOL HILL (THURSDAY) GENERAL WESLEY CLARK DOWNPLAYED THE NOTION THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT IS LOSING CONTROL. WHILE PRAISING THE COURAGE OF OPPOSITION LEADERS, THE GENERAL SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC STILL HAS THE ARMY AND SECRET POLICE -- AND IS SKILLED AT DIVIDING HIS ENEMIES.

I SEE THAT THE OPPOSITION IS FRAGMENTED AND WEAK. IT IS BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY A DECADE OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S MANEUVERING, DIVIDING THE OPPOSITION, SUBORNING THE OPPOSITION AND BASICALLY HIS CAMPAIGN OF COVERT TERROR.

GENERAL CLARK ADDS MR. MILOSEVIC MAY BE PLANNING A MOVE AGAINST (THE SMALLER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF) MONTENEGRO. HE SAYS THE SERBIAN LEADER IS PREPARING FORCES, GATHERING INTELLIGENCE AND WAGING A LOW-LEVEL ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN THE AREA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/LTD/RAE
01-Jul-99 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[09] SENATE-KOSOVO (S) BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: NATO'S COMMANDING GENERAL SAYS HE CAN NOT PREDICT HOW LONG THE ALLIES MIGHT STAY IN KOSOVO, BECAUSE THAT DEPENDS ON WHETHER YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC KEEPS HIS POWER. CORRESPONDENT DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.

TEXT: TESTIFYING ON CAPITOL HILL (THURSDAY) GENERAL WESLEY CLARK DOWNPLAYED THE NOTION THE YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT IS LOSING CONTROL. WHILE PRAISING THE COURAGE OF OPPOSITION LEADERS, THE GENERAL SAYS MR. MILOSEVIC STILL HAS THE ARMY AND SECRET POLICE -- AND IS SKILLED AT DIVIDING HIS ENEMIES.

I SEE THAT THE OPPOSITION IS FRAGMENTED AND WEAK. IT IS BEEN TRAUMATIZED BY A DECADE OF PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S MANEUVERING, DIVIDING THE OPPOSITION, SUBORNING THE OPPOSITION AND BASICALLY HIS CAMPAIGN OF COVERT TERROR.

GENERAL CLARK ADDS MR. MILOSEVIC MAY BE PLANNING A MOVE AGAINST (THE SMALLER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF) MONTENEGRO. HE SAYS THE SERBIAN LEADER IS PREPARING FORCES, GATHERING INTELLIGENCE AND WAGING A LOW-LEVEL ETHNIC CLEANSING CAMPAIGN IN THE AREA. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/LTD/RAE
01-Jul-99 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY NICK SIMEONE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ARE REACTING TO THE DEATH SENTENCE HANDED DOWN BY A TURKISH COURT FOR A KURDISH GUERRILLA LEADER. EVENTS IN SERBIA, THE RACE FOR THE U-S PRESIDENCY AND HOW TO DEAL WITH CUBAN ASYLUM SEEKERS ARE ALL TOPICS OF EDITORIALS IN SOME OF AMERICA'S MAJOR NEWSPAPERS. HERE IS _____________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK.

TEXT: TURKEY IS FACING THE DECISION OF WHETHER TO CARRY OUT THE EXECUTION OF CONVICTED KURDISH LEADER ABDULLAH OCALAN, WHO WAS FOUND GUILTY BY A SPECIAL COURT ON CHARGES OF TREASON. "THE WASHINGTON POST" SUGGESTS THAT BEFORE DECIDING TO PUT HIM TO DEATH, TURKEY MAY WANT TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS FOR THE SAKE OF NATIONAL PEACE.

VOICE: THE FIRST REQUIREMENT IS TO AVOID VIOLENCE DIRECTED EITHER BY OR AT THE MINORITY OF KURDISH TURKS WHO BELONG TO MR. OCALAN'S PARTY. NEXT MUST COME A DIALOGUE, THE UNITED STATES SUPPORTS IT, BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS OF TURKS. THE TRIAL CAN YET LAUNCH A SEARCH FOR THE CONCILIATION THAT HAS SO FAR ELUDED KURDS AND NON-KURDS ALIKE.

TEXT: ON ANOTHER MATTER, SERBIA, THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER NATO ALLIES SAY BELGRADE WILL GET NO RECONSTRUCTION AID AS LONG AS PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC REMAINS IN POWER. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID IT IS UP TO THE SERBIAN PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHETHER HE STAYS OR GOES. THE "NEW YORK DAILY NEWS" WRITES THE TEN-THOUSAND OR SO PEOPLE WHO TURNED OUT FOR AN ANTI-MILOSEVIC DEMONSTRATION THIS WEEK MAY NOW BE ANSWERING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S CALL AFTER WEEKS OF SEEMING SUPPORT FOR THE SERB LEADER DURING THE WAR OVER KOSOVO.

VOICE: . ...FOR THEY WERE SIMPLY ANSWERING IN THE MOST PUBLIC WAY A CALL FROM PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR NATIONAL INTROSPECTION. ON FRIDAY, HE SAID THE SERB PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY SUPPORT MILOSEVIC'S LEADERSHIP OR NOT, WHETHER THEY THINK IT IS OK THAT ALL THOSE TENS-OF-THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED.

TEXT: AND, "THE DAILY NEWS" SUGGESTS THAT POWER NOW RESTS WITH THE SERB PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THE NATO ALLIES WOULD NOT.

VOICE: NOW, IT IS UP TO THE SERB PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THE AIR WAR COULD NOT: DEMAND MILOSEVIC'S REMOVAL FROM OFFICE. ONLY THEN CAN SERBIA HOPE TO REBUILD AND MAINTAIN A LASTING PEACE.

TEXT: MORE CUBAN ASYLUM-SEEKERS SET SAIL FOR FLORIDA THIS WEEK. SOME WERE TURNED BACK AFTER A VIOLENT CONFRONTATION WITH THE U-S COAST GUARD WHEN CUBANS GOT OUT OF THEIR BOAT AND TRIED TO SWIM TO SHORE. "THE MIAMI HERALD" WRITES THE WAY THE INCIDENT UNFOLDED IS EVIDENCE THAT U-S REFUGEE POLICY TOWARD CUBANS ASYLUM-SEEKERS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

VOICE: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FREEDOM AND A RETURN TO TYRANNY WAS THE ABILITY TO TOUCH THE SAND ON SURFSIDE'S BEACH. THAT IS THE LAW. THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY, FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE SEEKING FREEDOM AND FOR THE SAKE OF OUR COAST GUARD, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO ACT AS GUARDS FOR CASTRO'S JAIL.

TEXT: TEXAS GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE GEORGE BUSH HAS RAISED MORE THAN 35-MILLION DOLLARS IN CAMPAIGN FUNDS FOR NEXT YEAR'S ELECTION. THAT IS MORE THAN ALL OF HIS EMERGING REPUBLICAN RIVALS COMBINED. ONE OF THEM, ARIZONA SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN, IS RENEWING HIS CALL FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM WHICH WOULD PLACE LIMITS ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES COULD ACCEPT. "THE NEW YORK TIMES" WRITES IT MIGHT BE IN GOVERNOR BUSH'S BEST INTERESTS TO ACCEPT THIS CHALLENGE.

VOICE: MR. BUSH COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. HIS STANDING AS THE LEADER IN THE PRESIDENTIAL POLLS GIVES HIM THE CLOUT TO SHOVE HIS PARTY'S LEADERS IN CONGRESS TOWARD A FAIR AND OPEN VOTE ON MR. MCCAIN'S LEGISLATION. IF HE CHOOSES NOT TO DO SO, VOTERS WILL HAVE A RIGHT TO QUESTION WHETHER HIS BRAND OF CONSERVATISM OFFERS ITS COMPASSION FIRST AND FOREMOST TO BIG MONEY SPECIAL INTERESTS.

TEXT: THAT CONCLUDES TODAY'S SAMPLING OF EDITORIAL COMMENT FROM U-S NEWSPAPERS.
NEB/NJS/RAE
01-Jul-99 12:26 PM EDT (1626 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S FORCES / KOSOVO (L ONLY) BY TIM BELAY (PRISTINA)

INTRO: U-S FORCES IN KOSOVO SAY THEY ARE ENJOYING A SUCCESSFUL MISSION -- IN A DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT. TIM BELAY REPORTS FROM PRISTINA.

TEXT: THE U-S NATO CONTINGENT SO FAR NUMBERS ABOUT FIVE-THOUSAND, AND ANOTHER TWO-THOUSAND ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE WITHIN TWO-WEEKS.

THEIR COMMANDER, BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN CRADDOCK, SAYS HIS TROOPS ARE DEVELOPING SOMETHING THE MILITARY CALLS -- SITUATION AWARENESS. UNTIL THEY GET TO KNOW THE AREA BETTER, GENERAL CRADDOCK SAYS THEY ARE USING TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP UP WITH WIDESPREAD LAWLESSNESS IN THEIR REGION.

WE HAVE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES THAT FLY DAY AND NIGHT, THAT SEE REAL GOOD AT NIGHT. WE HAVE GOOD COMMUNICATIONS, SO IT IS A SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF LEVERAGING A LOT A TECHNOLOGY, COMBINED WITH WELL-TRAINED, CAPABLE SOLDIERS USING MANNED AIRCRAFT, LIKE APACHES. YOU CAN OVERCOME A LOT OF SHORTFALLS IN THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW THE TERRAIN AND YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND AS WELL AS OTHERS.

THE FIRST NATO FORCES ARRIVED IN KOSOVO 18-DAYS AGO.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOEL ANDERSON -- A U-S INFANTRY COMMANDER -- SAYS NATO'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY HAS GENERALLY BEEN GOOD. BUT HE SAYS HIS TROOPS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH SOME ETHNIC-ALBANIAN KOSOVARS WHO MAY -- OR MAY NOT -- BE MEMBERS OF THE K-L-A.

IT IS HARD TO DEFINE SOMETIMES IF THEY ARE TRULY A K-L-A MEMBER OF THEY ARE -- FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM -- A WANNABE, SOMEBODY WHO NOW WANTS TO BE PART OF THE ORGANIZATION AFTER THE FIGHTING IS OVER. BUT BY PURE DETAINMENT AND ARREST BASED ON THE VIOLENCE AND CRIMES AND THE BURNINGS AND LOOTING, THE MAJORITY OF THAT FORCES IN MY SECTOR HAS BEEN K-L-A, EITHER ACTUAL OR PRETEND.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE U-N MANDATED TASK OF RECOVERING WEAPONS FROM THE K-L-A, THE U-S MEMBERS OF THE NATO FORCE ECHO THE VIEW OF OTHER MILITARY OFFICIALS. THEY ALL AGREE IT WOULD BE NAIVE TO THINK THEY WILL GET THEM ALL. (SIGNED)
NEB/TB/JWH/RAE
01-Jul-99 10:03 AM EDT (1403 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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