Voice of America, 98-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHINA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING7)

[02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: "EXPLOSION" OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

[03] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

[04] DENMARK ELECT (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[05] EUROPEAN SUMMIT (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[06] EDITORIAL: ATTACKS IN KOSOVO

[07] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

[08] KOSOVO MEETING (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

[09] KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

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

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

[12] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[13] U-S BALKANS (L) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[01] CHINA / KOSOVO (L-ONLY) BY ROGER WILKISON (BEIJING7)

INTRO: CHINA SAYS AN ARMS EMBARGO MAY BE ONE WAY TO RESOLVE THE ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, BUT QUESTIONS WHETHER THE EMBARGO SHOULD APPLY ONLY TO YUGOSLAVIA. AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ROGER WILKISON REPORTS, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER QIAN QICHEN SAYS THE PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS IN THE BALKANS MAKES THE REGION A DANGEROUS PLACE.

TEXT: (SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER) MR. QIAN TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE IN BEIJING THURSDAY THAT AN ARMS EMBARGO COULD BE AN OPTION TO RESOLVE THE TURMOIL IN YUGOSLAVIA'S KOSOVO PROVINCE, WHERE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES' CRACKDOWN ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN SEPARATISTS HAS SPARKED FEARS OF A NEW BALKAN CONFLICT.

ARMS EMBARGO MAY BE AN OPTION ON THE KOSOVO ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE REALLY TOO MANY WEAPONS IN THAT REGION. WHEN THE TURMOIL ERUPTED NOT LONG AGO IN ALBANIA, THERE WAS VERY WIDESPREAD DISSEMINATION OF WEAPONRY IN THIS REGION. SO ALMOST EVERYBODY HAD SOME WEAPON.

MR. QIAN SPOKE A DAY AFTER CHINA REPORTEDLY STYMIED ANY ACTION BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IN THE TROUBLED PROVINCE. WESTERN NATIONS ARE SEEKING TO IMPOSE AN ARMS EMBARGO ON YUGOSLAVIA, BUT THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE FORUM FOR DISCUSSION OF PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE BALKAN COUNTRY.

IF ARMS EMBARGO IS ONLY IMPOSED ON YUGOSLAVIA, THAT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER TOTALLY. SO WE MUST THINK OF A MORE APPROPRIATE WAY. AT LEAST THIS MATTER SHOULD BE RESOLVED IN A PEACEFUL MANNER, AND NOT THROUGH BLOODSHED.

MR. QIAN APPEARS TO BE INDICATING THAT CHINA WOULD CONSIDER AN ARMS EMBARGO IF IT WERE EXTENDED EITHER TO INCLUDE THE ENTIRE REGION OR -- AS RUSSIA WOULD LIKE -- TO AT LEAST INCLUDE ARMED ETHNIC ALBANIAN GROUPS IN KOSOVO.

CHINA MAINTAINS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL YUGOSLAV AFFAIR, WHICH SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES. BUT MR. QIAN ALSO SAYS THE RIGHTS OF ALL ETHNIC GROUPS SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

THIS KOSOVO QUESTION IS WITHIN YUGOSLAVIA, SO IT IS AN INTERNAL MATTER OF YUGOSLAVIA. THE BALKAN REGION IS A PLACE WITH VERY COMPLICATED RELATIONS AMONG ETHNIC GROUPS. SO, IN THIS REGARD, THE LEGITIMATE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF ALL ETHNIC GROUPS SHOULD BE PROTECTED. MEANWHILE, EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO PREVENT AND GUARD AGAINST THE SPLITTIST (SEPARATIST) ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED BY SOME EXTREMISTS.

[02] CONFLICT RESOLUTION: "EXPLOSION" OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE BY JUDITH LATHAM (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: INCIDENTS OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE HAVE INCREASED OVER THE PAST DECADE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN EAST-CENTRAL EUROPE AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR JOHN MCDONALD BEGAN HIS DIPLOMATIC CAREER WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST. HE ALSO WORKED AT THE UNITED NATIONS FOR MANY YEARS AND WAS APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TWICE BY PRESIDENT CARTER AND TWICE BY PRESIDENT REAGAN TO HEAD U.S. DELEGATIONS TO GLOBAL CONFERENCES. AMBASSADOR MCDONALD HAS GIVEN A LOT OF THOUGHT TO WHY THE WORLD HAS -- IN HIS WORDS -- "EXPLODED INTO ETHNIC VIOLENCE" IN THE PAST DECADE OR SO. THE PRIMARY EXPLANATION, HE SUGGESTS, IS THE END OF EMPIRES.

TAPE: CUT ONE -- MC DONALD (0:54) "AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CENTURY, THE WORLD WAS DOMINATED BY TEN GREAT EMPIRES. TODAY THERE ARE NONE. [BEGIN OPT] AT THE END OF WORLD WAR I, YOU HAD THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE DISAPPEARING AFTER SOME 600 YEARS, AND THE AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN EMPIRE, AND THE GERMAN EMPIRE. AT THE END OF WORLD WAR II, IT WAS THE JAPANESE EMPIRE. AND THEN IN THE NEXT 20 TO 25 YEARS, YOU HAD THE BRITISH, FRENCH, BELGIAN, DUTCH, PORTUGUESE [EMPIRES] COLLAPSE. AND IN 1991-92, THE SOVIET EMPIRE, THE LAST OF THE TEN, ALSO DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCENE. WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT THOSE COLLAPSES WITH REGARD TO CONFLICT TODAY IS THAT THOSE TEN EMPIRES, WHETHER THEY LIKED TO RECOGNIZE IT OR NOT, RULED BY FORCE AND BY FEAR. [END OPT] THEY KEPT THE LID ON CONFLICT WITHIN THEIR EMPIRES, SO THERE WAS NO OPPORTUNITY TO PUT YOUR HEAD UP AND TALK ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AND YOUR FREEDOMS. TODAY THERE'S NOBODY TO KEEP THE LID ON."

TEXT: A DIPLOMAT FOR 40 YEARS, AMBASSADOR MCDONALD IS ALSO A FORMER LAWYER AND LAW PROFESSOR. HE WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE IOWA PEACE INSTITUTE AND IS THE COFOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE INSTITUTE FOR MULTI-TRACK DIPLOMACY IN WASHINGTON, D-C. ACCORDING TO AMBASSADOR MCDONALD, ETHNIC GROUPS TODAY CAN OPERATE IN WAYS THEY PREVIOUSLY COULD NOT, INCLUDING THE USE OF POLITICAL AND MILITARY FORCE. AND, THIS NEW WILLINGNESS TO USE FORCE HAS LED TO THE PROLIFERATION OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE. MANY OF THE FORMER EMPIRES, THE AMBASSADOR SAYS, WERE THEMSELVES RESPONSIBLE FOR MUCH OF TODAY'S CONFLICT. THEY WERE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO DEAL WITH ISSUES IMPORTANT TO NATIONAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES.

TAPE: CUT TWO -- MC DONALD (0:25) "THEY REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE WHAT I CALL THE THREE NONNEGOTIABLE ISSUES. THEY WOULD TAKE AWAY THE LANGUAGE OF A PEOPLE, THE RELIGION OF A PEOPLE, AND THE CUSTOMS OF A PEOPLE. AND OVER HISTORY PEOPLES HAVE KILLED AND DIED FOR THE RIGHT TO KEEP THEIR LANGUAGE, THEIR RELIGION, AND THEIR CULTURE. AND SO, WHEN THESE ONE, TWO, OR SOMETIMES ALL THREE, ARE TAKEN AWAY, YOU HAVE VIOLENCE. AND THAT HAS HAPPENED MANY, MANY TIMES IN THE COURSE OF RECENT HISTORY."

TEXT: THE THIRD REASON FOR THE ESCALLATION OF ETHNIC VIOLENCE, AMBASSADOR MCDONALD SAYS, IS THAT TODAY'S WORLD IS NOT STRUCTURED TO DEAL WITH THE TYPE OF CONFLICT THAT ACTUALLY CONFRONTS IT.

TAPE: CUT THREE -- MC DONALD (0:27) "FROM 1989 TO 1992, EXPERTS HAVE DETERMINED THAT THERE WERE 82 CONFLICTS IN THE WORLD IN WHICH MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE WERE KILLED. ONLY THREE OF THOSE WERE WARS. NOW, WAR IS A LEGAL TERM, IT'S A CROSS-BORDER VIOLATION -- ONE NATION STATE INVADING ANOTHER NATION STATE -- LIKE THE IRAQIS INVADING KUWAIT. AND WE'RE STRUCTURED TO COPE WITH WARS. WE'RE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE NOW, AT THE END OF THE COLD WAR. THE SECURITY COUNCIL, THE U-N CHARTER, HAVE DEFINITE RULES -- THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS AND SO FORTH."

TEXT: BUT, THE OTHER 79 CONFLICTS DURING THAT SAME THREE-YEAR PERIOD, WERE ALL WITHIN NATIONAL BOUNDARIES, AMBASSADOR MCDONALD SAYS. THEY WERE INTRA-STATE, WHICH IS THE TYPICAL PATTERN FOR ETHNIC VIOLENCE.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- MC DONALD (0:41) "SRI LANKA AND RWANDA AND BURUNDI, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. SUDAN. THE CONCEPT OF NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY IS STILL THERE. AND THAT SAYS, 'YOU CAN'T COME INTO MY COUNTRY UNLESS I INVITE YOU INTO MY COUNTRY.' SO, THE PEOPLE IN POWER SAY, 'WE DON'T WANT YOUR HELP, MR. U-N, OR WHOEVER. WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS.' AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S WHEN THE KILLING TAKES PLACE. AND SO, TODAY, THERE LITERALLY IS NO INSTRUMENT THAT IS RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY THAT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO GO IN WITHOUT BEING ASKED -- AND HELP -- EXCEPT IN THOSE RARE CASES, UNDER CHAPTER 7 OF THE CHARTER OF THE UNITED NATIONS, WHERE THE SECURITY COUNCIL RULES THAT THERE IS A VIOLATION OF SUCH IMPORTANCE THAT THEY WILL MOVE, BUT THAT HAPPENS VERY RARELY."

TEXT: ACCORDING TO JOHN MCDONALD OF THE INSTITUTE FOR MULTI-TRACK DIPLOMACY, THERE IS NO ORGANIZATION AND NO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED MECHANISM TO DEAL WITH ETHNIC VIOLENCE. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF PREVENTING OR ENDING ETHNIC VIOLENCE, THE AMBASSADOR SAYS, THAT'S THE KEY PROBLEM.

TAPE: CUT FOUR -- MC DONALD (0:46) "I BELIEVE OVER TIME THERE WILL BE SOME KIND OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL MECHANISM CREATED. I THINK THAT WILL TAKE ANOTHER 10 OR 20 YEARS. NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY DIES HARD. I BELIEVE THAT SMALL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE MY OWN -- NOT-FOR-PROFIT, NONGOVERNMENTAL, NON-THREATENING -- HAVE THE SKILLS AND ARE INVITED INTO THOSE CONFLICTS BY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. SINCE WE'RE NOT VIEWED AS A THREAT BY GOVERNMENTS, SINCE WE DON'T TRY TO SOLVE THE POLITICAL PROBLEMS DIVIDING THE COUNTRY, BUT WORK WITH CITIZEN LEADERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH SKILLS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE OR BUILD ON SKILLS THEY ALREADY HAVE, WE'RE ALLOWED TO DO THIS. AND, I BELIEVE OVER TIME -- UNTIL SOME STRUCTURE IS CREATED -- THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY WHICH NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS CAN PARTIALLY FILL."

TEXT: AMBASSADOR JOHN MCDONALD SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL "TRACKS," OR WAYS, TO RESOLVE ETHNIC CONFLICT PEACEFULLY. THEY INCLUDE DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS, OR TRADITIONAL "TRACK ONE" DIPLOMACY, WHICH OPERATES THROUGH OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT CHANNELS. "TRACK TWO" DIPLOMACY, BY CONTRAST, INVOLVES CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROFESSIONALS AT THE NONGOVERNMENTAL LEVEL. AND, THE AMBASSADOR SAYS, THERE ARE OTHER TRACKS AS WELL THAT DRAW ON A VARIETY OF SECTORS OF SOCIETY. [OPT] IN SUBSEQUENT FEATURE PROGRAMS, WE WILL EXPLORE SOME OF THE NONGOVERNMENTAL TRACKS. [END OPT]
12-Mar-98 2:28 PM EST (1928 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] CONGRESS-KOSOVO (L) BY PAULA WOLFSON (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: U-S BALKAN ENVOY ROBERT GELBARD SAYS THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR TALKS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF YUGOSLAVIA AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO. BUT AS V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, AMBASSADOR GELBARD DOES NOT LIKE THE APPROACH ADOPTED BY SERBIAN LEADERS.

TEXT: AMBASSADOR GELBARD SAYS HE PUSHED FOR PEACE TALKS DURING HIS JUST-ENDED VISIT TO KOSOVO. BUT HE SAYS THIS DIALOGUE MUST BE UNCONDITIONAL....AND IT MUST BEGIN IN SECLUSION.

IT HAS TO START IN PRIVATE BECAUSE THERE IS CLEARLY A DRAMATIC AND UNDERSTANDABLE LACK OF TRUST ON THE PART OF THE KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADERS FOR (YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN) MILOSEVIC. AND IT NEEDS TO BE BASED ON THE IDEA OF ACHIEVING SOME FORM OF ENHANCED STATUS FOR KOSOVO LEADING TOWARD A SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER DEGREE OF SELF-ADMINISTRATION IN KOSOVO.

MR. GELBARD SAYS HE STRESSED THESE POINTS DURING A LONG MEETING MONDAY NIGHT WITH YUGOSLAVIA'S PRESIDENT. BUT THE U-S BALKAN ENVOY TOLD MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE THAT HIS ADVICE WAS IGNORED. HE SAID SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

FIRST, HE IS PROPOSING THAT THIS BE DONE WITH SOME SERBIAN POLITICAL LEADERS. SECOND, THEY ARE TRYING TO DO THIS IN PUBLIC. AND I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THIS ALLOWS TOO MUCH OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAPS TO BE SET -- TO DELEGITIMIZE THE LEGITIMATE KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADERS.

AMBASSADOR GELBARD TESTIFIED ON CAPITOL HILL LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER HIS RETURN TO WASHINGTON FROM THE BALKANS. HE OPENED HIS REPORT TO CONGRESS WITH A CONDEMNATION OF THE RECENT BLOODSHED IN KOSOVO. HE SAID WASHINGTON WAS APPALLED BY SERBIA'S BRUTAL USE OF FORCE REMINISCENT OF THE EARLY DAYS OF THE CONFLICT IN BOSNIA.

I CAN ASSURE YOU, WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAND BY AND WATCH 1991 UNFOLD AGAIN. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO CONDEMN TERRORIST ACTIONS, NO MATTER WHAT THE FORM OR NO MATTER WHERE IN THE WORLD.

MR. GELBARD SAID THE BURDEN OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BLOODSHED IN KOSOVO IS WITH THE MILOSEVIC GOVERNMENT. BUT HE SAID TO IGNORE VIOLENT ACTS BY THE REBELS IS WRONG. (SIGNED)
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12-Mar-98 2:04 PM EST (1904 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] DENMARK ELECT (L) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: DENMARK'S CENTER-LEFT COALITION GOVERNMENT HAS HELD ONTO ITS PARLIAMENTARY MAJORITY AFTER A RAZOR THIN RE-ELECTION VICTORY IN WEDNESDAY'S GENERAL ELECTIONS. V-O-A EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENT KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: AFTER MEETING WITH THE QUEEN TO INFORM HER OF THE ELECTION RESULTS, DANISH PRIME MINISTER POUL NYRUP RASMUSSEN SAID HE PLANS TO REMAIN AT HIS POST IN THE NEW GOVERNMENT.

THE PRIME MINISTER'S SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC LED-COALITION EMERGED WITH JUST A ONE VOTE MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT, AFTER A SURPRISE LAST MINUTE VOTE COUNT FROM THE SEMI-AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF GREENLAND.

MR. RASMUSSEN, WHO SOME POLLS HAD PREDICTED WOULD LOSE THE ELECTION, SAID HIS GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS STABILITY-ORIENTED ECONOMIC POLICIES.

HE SAID HE WOULD ALSO PUSH FOR A YES VOTE IN DENMARK'S UPCOMING REFERENDUM ON EXPANSION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION.

EUROPEAN LEADERS HAD BEEN WATCHING THE ELECTIONS CLOSELY TO SEE WHO WOULD BE IN POWER AT THE TIME OF THE MAY REFERENDUM ON THE AMSTERDAM E-U TREATY.

THE TREATY WILL OPEN THE WAY FOR E-U EXPANSION AND COMMON POLICIES ON REFUGEES AND ASYLUM, BUT IT MUST BE APPROVED BY ALL OF THE 15 MEMBER STATES BEFORE IT CAN GO INTO EFFECT.

DENMARK HAS BECOME FAMOUS FOR WRECKING E-U PLANS IN THE PAST. IN 1992, DANISH VOTERS REJECTED THE MAASTRICHT TREATY THAT DEALS WITH THE CREATION OF A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY.

VOTERS LATER APPROVED THE CHARTER, BUT ONLY AFTER SPECIAL CLAUSES WERE ADDED TO ALLOW SOME STATES TO OPT OUT OF THE CURRENCY AND COMMON DEFENSE POLICIES. (SIGNED)
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12-Mar-98 11:00 AM EST (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] EUROPEAN SUMMIT (L-ONLY) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: SENIOR LEADERS FROM 26 EUROPEAN COUNTRIES ARE IN LONDON TO DISCUSS VARIOUS ISSUES INCLUDING THE UPCOMING ENLARGEMENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL, THE MEETING IS ESSENTIALLY A CEREMONIAL GATHERING.

TEXT: THE LONDON MEETING IS CHAIRED BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR BECAUSE BRITAIN IS THE CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION UNTIL JULY.

DURING BRITAIN'S PRESIDENCY, THE WHOLE PROCESS OF ENLARGING THE EUROPEAN UNION TO INCORPORATE FORMER COMMUNIST COUNTRIES OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE WILL OFFICIALLY BEGIN. THE LONDON CONFERENCE WAS CALLED TO LAUNCH THIS PROCESS, AND 11 COUNTRIES VYING FOR E-U MEMBERSHIP WERE INVITED TO ATTEND.

THE LONDON MEETING IS SEEN AS ESSENTIALLY A SYMBOLIC EVENT WITH NO MAJOR DECISIONS BEING TAKEN. HOWEVER IN OPENING THE CONFERENCE, MR. BLAIR SAID IT REPRESENTS A REMARKABLE MOMENT IN THE CONTINENT'S HISTORY.

THE WHOLE OBJECTIVE OF WHICH THIS CONFERENCE IS A PART, IS TO CREATE A EUROPE WHICH IS STABLE, SECURE, PEACEFUL, AND PROSPEROUS. AND WE, ALL OF US KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE DIFFERENCES IN OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES, THOSE THINGS THAT UNITE US IN THAT OBJECTIVE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

CRITICS HAVE SAID THE SESSION IS SIMPLY A BIG "TALKING SHOP." BUT DESPITE THE MEETING'S CEREMONIAL OVERTONES, THE EUROPEAN LEADERS ARE DISCUSSING SUCH ISSUES AS HOW TO COMBAT ORGANIZED CRIME AND DRUG TRAFFICKING AND HOW TO MORE EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS.

HOWEVER THE MEETING -- DESCRIBED BY ONE OBSERVER AS A "SORT OF BIG EUROPEAN JAMBOREE" -- HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWED BY THE ABSENCE OF TURKEY WHICH IS BOYCOTTING THE SESSION. OFFICIALS FROM ANKARA WERE INVITED, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COME BECAUSE TURKEY'S VARIOUS APPLICATIONS TO JOIN THE E-U HAVE BEEN REJECTED. EUROPEAN LEADERS FEEL TURKEY'S HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD MUST BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED BEFORE ITS ENTRY CAN BE DISCUSSED.

DURING AN EXCHANGE WITH BRITISH LAWMAKERS EARLIER THIS WEEK, FOREIGN SECRETARY ROBIN COOK SAID DESPITE TURKEY'S ABSENCE FROM THIS CONFERENCE, THE DIALOGUE WITH ANKARA WILL CONTINUE.

MY COLLEAGUE THE (TURKISH) FOREIGN MINISTER AND I HAVE AGREED THAT AFTER THE EUROPEAN CONFERENCE, WE WILL LOOK FOR OTHER WAYS OF TAKING FORWARD OUR DIALOGUE, PROBALY THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION-PARTNERSHIP ON WHICH THE (EUROPEAN) COMMISSION IS ABOUT TO PRODUCE VERY INTERESTING DETAILED PROPOSALS.

MR. COOK SAID THE CONFERENCE REPRESENTS A HISTORIC FIRST STEP TOWARDS A STRONGER, ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION AND BRINGS TO AN END THE DIVISION OF EUROPE WHICH SCARRED THE CONTINENT FOR HALF A CENTURY. (SIGNED)
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12-Mar-98 10:22 AM EST (1522 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] EDITORIAL: ATTACKS IN KOSOVO

ANNCR: THE VOICE OF AMERICA PRESENTS DIFFERING POINTS OF VIEW ON A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES. NEXT, AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

VOICE:

THIS WEEK, AN INTERNATIONAL COALITION APPROVED SANCTIONS AND OTHER PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC. THE ACTION CAME IN RESPONSE TO ATTACKS BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ON THE ETHNIC ALBANIAN POPULATION IN THE REGION OF KOSOVO.

THE BOSNIA CONTACT GROUP IS COMPOSED OF THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, FRANCE, GERMANY, RUSSIA AND ITALY. IT AGREED TO PROHIBIT SUPPLYING BELGRADE WITH WEAPONS OR EQUIPMENT THAT MIGHT BE USED FOR INTERNAL REPRESSION OR TERRORISM. THE CONTACT GROUP ALSO ENDORSED UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE ARMS EMBARGO ON SERBIA. THE CONTACT GROUP AGREED TO MOVE TOWARD FURTHER MEASURES AGAINST PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING AN ASSET FREEZE, IF SPECIAL SERBIAN POLICE UNITS ARE NOT WITHDRAWN FROM KOSOVO WITHIN TEN DAYS.

ATTACKS BY SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES ON ETHNIC ALBANIAN VILLAGES IN KOSOVO DURING THE LAST TEN DAYS HAVE RESULTED IN MORE THAN EIGHTY DEATHS. SERBIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE TRIED TO JUSTIFY THESE ATTACKS BY CLAIMING THEY ARE LEGITIMATE ANTI-TERRORIST ACTIONS DIRECTED AGAINST THE KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY. BUT THE VICTIMS HAVE INCLUDED MANY CIVILIANS, AMONG THEM WOMEN AND CHILDREN. TO CITE JUST ONE CASE: ELEVEN OF THE FORTY-SIX PEOPLE KILLED IN AN ATTACK BY SERBIAN POLICE ON THE TOWN OF SRBICA WERE CHILDREN.

IN THE WORDS OF SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INDISCRIMINATE VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO "LIES SQUARELY WITH BELGRADE." THE ACTIONS OF SERBIAN SECURITY FORCES THERE ARE "AN AFFRONT TO UNIVERSAL STANDARDS OF HUMAN RIGHTS."

ANNCR:

THAT WAS AN EDITORIAL EXPRESSING THE POLICIES OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A COMMENT, PLEASE WRITE TO EDITORIALS, V-O-A, WASHINGTON, D-C, 20547, U-S-A. YOU MAY ALSO COMMENT AT WWW-DOT-VOA-DOT-GOV-SLASH-EDITORIALS, OR FAX US AT (202) 619-1043.
12-Mar-98 2:55 PM EST (1955 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] EURO STOCKS (S ONLY) BY JACK HUIZENGA (LONDON)

INTRO: STOCK PRICES WERE LOWER IN TRADING THURSDAY IN EUROPE. V-O-A'S JACK HUIZENGA HAS THE CLOSING MARKET REPORT FROM LONDON.

TEXT: EUROPEAN MARKETS CLOSED DOWN IN THURSDAY'S TRADING, FOLLOWING A SHAKY START ON WALL STREET.

IN FRANKFURT, PRICES ROSE DURING THE FLOOR TRADING DAY BEFORE THE NEW YORK MARKET OPENED. BUT THEN THE DAX FELL IN LATER COMPUTERIZED TRADING BY 24 POINTS, ABOUT ONE-HALF-PERCENT. IN LONDON, THE FOOTSIE-100 INDEX WAS DOWN 35 POINTS, SIX-TENTHS PERCENT. IN PARIS, THE CAC-40 INDEX CLOSED OFF 17-POINTS, ONE-HALF PERCENT.

ON THE LONDON CURRENCY EXCHANGE, THE VALUE OF THE U-S DOLLAR WAS DOWN AGAINST THE GERMAN MARK, THE JAPANESE YEN, AND THE BRITISH POUND.
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12-Mar-98 1:39 PM EST (1839 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] KOSOVO MEETING (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER'S IN YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE HAVE REJECTED A SERBIAN INITIATIVE FOR TALKS TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS THAT HAS INCREASED TENSIONS AND COSTS DOZENS OF LIVES. THE TEAM LED BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER RATKO MARKOVIC SAID THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO TRY AGAIN. BUT AS WE HERE FROM CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN PRISTINA, ETHNIC ALBANIANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN A SERBIAN APPROACH.

TEXT: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP SAID THE OFFER OF TALKS WAS MADE FOR PROPAGANDA EFFECT.

SPOKESMAN XEMAIL MUSTAFA SAID TALKS WITH SERBIA NEED THE MEDIATION OF A THIRD PARTY. THE SERBIAN DELEGATION CAME TO PRISTINA SEEKING WHAT THEY CALLED -- AN OPEN DIALOGUE.

THE ALBANIANS STAYED AWAY FROM THE MEETING, COMPLAINING THEY LEARNED ABOUT IT ONLY THROUGH NEWS REPORTS, NOT A FORMAL INVITATION.

BOTH SIDES SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO HOLD TALKS WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS, BUT SERBIA INSISTS NEGOTIATIONS BE WITHIN THE FRAME-WORK OF THE CONSTITUTION -- MEANING KOSOVO STAYS IN SERBIA, WHILE THE ALBANIANS INSIST THEIR GOALS ARE INDEPENDENCE.

KOSOVO IS 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN, THE SITUATION HAS BECOME ESPECIALLY CRITICAL IN THE PAST WEEK, AFTER SERB POLICE KILLED DOZENS OF ALBANIANS IN A POLICE CRACKDOWN. THE AUTHORITIES SAY THEY WERE AFTER TERRORISTS, BUT MOST OF THOSE KILLED WERE WOMEN, CHILDREN, OR THE ELDERLY.

RESIDENTS OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES WEST OF THE CAPITAL REMAIN FRIGHTENED. POLICE MAN CHECK-POINTS IN THE AREA, AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS COMPLAIN OF RANDOM HARASSMENT, INCLUDING FINES AND SEARCHES.

MANY PEOPLE LEFT THEIR HOMES DURING THE POLICE OFFENSIVE AND ARE STILL AFRAID RETURN. MANY SHOPS THROUGHOUT THE DRENICE AREA ARE CLOSED, AND SCHOOLS HAVE CANCELED CLASSES.

[09] KOSOVO OVERNIGHTER (S) BY ART CHIMES (PRISTINA)

INTRO: ANOTHER PROTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR YUGOSLAVIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE TODAY (FRIDAY), AFTER MODERATE ETHNIC ALBANIANS REJECTED A SERBIAN INITIATIVE FOR TALKS. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES REPORTS LAST WEEK'S POLICE OFFENSES AGAINST SUSPECTED PRO-INDEPENDENCE GUERRILLAS HAS ADDED NEW URGENCY TO THE NEGOTIATIONS.

TEXT: ETHNIC ALBANIAN STUDENTS HAVE CALLED A DEMONSTRATION FOR FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THE LATEST IN SERIES OF PROTESTS SINCE A SERB POLICE CRACKDOWN KILLED DOZENS OF ALBANIANS. RECENT PROTESTS IN PRISTINA HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL, BUT POLICE MONDAY BROKE UP DEMONSTRATIONS IN SMALLER TOWNS IN KOSOVO. THURSDAY, MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERS REFUSED TO COME TO TALKS CALLED BY TOP SERBIAN OFFICIALS. AN ALBANIAN SPOKESMAN SAID TALKS WITH SERBIA NEED THE MEDIATION OF A THIRD PARTY.

BOTH SIDES SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO HOLD TALKS WITHOUT PRECONDITIONS, BUT THE ALBANIANS SAY THEIR GOAL IS INDEPENDENCE, WHICH SERBIA INSISTS IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. MEANWHILE, AUTHORITIES HAVE SHUT DOWN A SATELLITE UP-LINK USED BY TELEVISION JOURNALISTS IN PRISTINA TO TRANSMIT THEIR STORIES. THE ONLY UP-LINK HERE NOW IS THE LOCAL STATE-CONTROLLED TELEVISION STATION. (SIGNED)
NEB/AC/WDC/MMK
12-Mar-98 3:53 PM EST (2053 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: STOCK PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES WERE MIXED TODAY (THURSDAY) AS THE RALLY IN THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE RAN OUT OF STEAM (LOST MOMENTUM). VOA CORRESPONDENT BRECK ARDERY REPORTS FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED AT 86 HUNDRED 59, DOWN 16 POINTS. BUT WHILE THE INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WAS DOWN, THE STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX CLOSED UP ONE POINT AT ONE THOUSAND 69, THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE RECORD HIGH FOR THAT INDEX.

ANALYSTS SAY, ALTHOUGH THE GENERAL ATTITUDE ON WALL STREET CONTINUES TO BE POSITIVE, THERE WAS SOME CAUTION AFTER THE RECENT STRONG GAINS.

THE U-S TRADE DEFICIT ROSE 12 PERCENT LAST YEAR TO ITS SECOND-HIGHEST LEVEL EVER. ANALYSTS SAY THE ASIAN FINANCIAL CRISIS DAMPENED THE DEMAND FOR U-S EXPORTS.

THE GOVERNMENT REPORTED RETAIL SALES IN THE UNITED STATES ROSE BY A SOLID ONE-HALF PERCENT LAST MONTH, DESPITE WEAKNESS IN AUTO SALES.

THERE WAS ANOTHER SIGN THAT THE U-S JOB MARKET REMAINS STRONG. THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS FILING CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DROPPED LAST WEEK.

THE STOCK OF GENERAL MOTORS FELL AFTER A MAJOR BROKERAGE FIRM (GOLDMAN SACHS) REMOVED G-M FROM ITS RECOMMENDED LIST.

A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ALLEGING THAT HUNDREDS OF WOMEN AT A FORD ASSEMBLY PLANT WERE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT. WITHOUT DIRECTLY COMMENTING ON THE SUIT, A SPOKESMAN FOR FORD SAYS THE COMPANY IS AGAINST ANY KIND OF HARASSMENT.

TALKS ARE UNDERWAY IN A POSSIBLE DEAL TO MERGE THE NASDAQ (NAS-DAK) STOCK MARKET WITH THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE. ANALYSTS SAY THE COMBINATION MIGHT PROVIDE SOME STRONGER COMPETITION FOR THE DOMINANT NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE. RICHARD SYLLA, A PROFESSOR AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY'S BUSINESS SCHOOL, SAYS IT WOULD ALSO GIVE NASDAQ ACCESS TO THE AMERICAN EXCHANGE'S LUCRATIVE OPTIONS BUSINESS.

MAYBE NASDAQ WILL BE BROADENING ITS PORTFOLIO TO OFFER OPTIONS AND OTHER KINDS OF DERIVATIVES TRADING.

PROFESSOR SYLLA AND OTHER ANALYSTS SAY THAT, BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY THE TWO MARKETS ARE CONDUCTED, NASDAQ AND THE AMERICAN STOCK EXCHANGE WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO OPERATE SEPARATELY EVEN AFTER A MERGER.

PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS ENDORSED A BI-PARTISAN PLAN TO SETTLE CLAIMS AGAINST THE U-S TOBACCO INDUSTRY. ALTHOUGH THE PROPOSAL WOULD ALLOW FUTURE HEALTH-RELATED LAWSUITS AGAINST THE TOBACCO COMPANIES, IT WOULD LIMIT THE LIABILITY OF THE INDUSTRY TO EIGHT BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR.(SIGNED) NEB/NY/BA/LSF/PLM
12-Mar-98 5:02 PM EST (2202 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] NORTHERN IRELAND (L) BY ANDRE DE NESNERA (LONDON)

INTRO: LEADERS FROM SINN FEIN -- THE POLITICAL WING OF THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY -- HAVE MET BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR IN LONDON. BUT AS V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ANDRE DE NESNERA REPORTS FROM THE BRITISH CAPITAL, THEY HAVE NOT SAID WHETHER THEY WILL REJOIN TALKS ON NORTHERN IRELAND.

TEXT: THE MEETING WAS REQUESTED BY SINN FEIN LEADERS AFTER THE PARTY WAS TEMPORARILY EXPELLED FROM TALKS ON THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. BRITISH AND IRISH LEADERS DECIDED TO SUSPEND SINN FEIN AFTER POLICE LINKED THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY TO TWO RECENT KILLINGS IN BELFAST.

THE SINN FEIN LEADERSHIP DESCRIBED THE 18-DAY EXPULSION AS "UNFAIR AND UNDEMOCRATIC" -- BUT THEY DID STAY OUT FOR THE ALLOTTED TIME WHICH EXPIRED MONDAY.

NOW THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO RE-ENTER THE TALKS, SINN FEIN LEADERS SAY THEY HAVE NOT YET DECIDED WHETHER THEY WILL DO SO A POINT REPEATED BY PARTY LEADER GERRY ADAMS AFTER HIS MEETING WITH BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR.

MY OWN VIEW IS THAT WE SHOULD SEEK TO GO BACK INTO THE TALKS AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE OPPORTUNITY. BUT THAT IS NOT A DECISION FOR ME ALONE. WE ARE A COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP. WE WILL CONSULT. WE WILL REPORT BACK AND WE WILL KEEP YOU ACQUAINTED WITH ANY DECISION THAT WE MAKE.

MR. ADAMS SAID THE PARTY'S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE WILL MEET IN EIGHT TO TEN DAYS TO DISCUSS WHAT TO DO.

LET US REFLECT ON THIS MORNING'S DISCUSSIONS. IT WAS FRANK, IT WAS POSITIVE, IT WAS A GOOD ENGAGEMENT -- AND LET ME REASSURE EVERYONE THAT SINN FEIN REMAINS TOTALLY AND ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO A REAL, LASTING, AND DURABLE SETTLEMENT OF THE CONFLICT IN OUR COUNTRY.

MOST EXPERTS HERE BELIEVE SINN FEIN HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO RETURN TO THE POLITICAL TALKS AT A TIME WHEN NEGOTIATORS ARE WORKING HARD TO REACH A SETTLEMENT BY THE MAY DEADLINE IMPOSED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.

THESE EXPERTS SAY SINN FEIN CANNOT BE SEEN BEING OUTSIDE THE POLITICAL PROCESS WHEN SUCH CRUCIAL DECISIONS ARE MADE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF NORTHERN IRELAND. (SIGNED)
NEB/ADEN/JWH
12-Mar-98 9:23 AM EST (1423 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] THURSDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: THE EXPANSION OF NATO AND WHETHER IT IS A GOOD IDEA CONTINUES TO FIND A PLACE IN THE EDITORIAL COLUMNS OF MAJOR U-S NEWSPAPERS THIS THURSDAY NEAR THE MIDDLE OF MARCH. OTHER TOPICS UNDER REVIEW BY THE AMERICAN PRESS INCLUDE: THE U-S DEBT TO THE UNITED NATIONS; A DANGEROUS PLUTONIUM PROBLEM; THE KOSOVO VIOLENCE; AND INDONESIA'S FINANCIAL CRISIS AND RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT SUHARTO. NOW, HERE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME QUOTES IS __________________ AND TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: IN NEW ENGLAND, TODAY'S "PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN" COMES OUT IN FAVOR OF THE BIGGEST QUESTION IN EUROPE TODAY, THE EXPANSION OF NATO INTO THE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS. THE RHODE ISLAND DAILY CALLS IT A "TRIUMPH OF THE WEST," ADDING:

VOICE: THE QUESTION OF NATO EXPANSION IS REALLY THE QUESTION OF THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE WEST, A HAPPY HISTORICAL PROCESS THAT PREDATES THE EFFECTIVE COLLAPSE OF THE EASTERN BLOC, IN 1989, AND THE SOVIET UNION, IN 1991.... THAT IS SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE, HOWEVER MUCH THIS MIGHT BE CONSIDERED THE BAD TASTE OF 'TRIUMPHALISM.' THE AREA TO BE PROTECTED AND STABILIZED UNDER THE IDEALS, PROSPERITY AND POWER OF THE WEST WOULD BE DRAMATICALLY EXPANDED, AND A STILL UNSTABLE AND POTENTIALLY THREATENING RUSSIA PUT INTO A POSITION WHERE IT WOULD POSE LESS OF A THREAT IF IT TURNS UGLY.... LET US REJOICE THAT WE CAN KEEP FAITH WITH THOSE WHO SHARE OUR ASPIRATIONS, THE PEOPLE OF HUNGARY, POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC.

TEXT: "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" IS STILL UPSET THAT THE UNITED STATES OWES ABOUT ONE-POINT-THREE BILLION DOLLARS IN BACK DUES AND ASSESSMENTS TO THE UNITED NATIONS AS OF THE END OF LAST YEAR. THE PAPER SAYS CONGRESS SHOULD CONSIDER THE REFORMS THE U-N'S NEW SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS MADE DURING HIS 15 MONTHS IN OFFICE, WHEN IT RE-CONSIDERS PAYING THE DEBT.

VOICE: THAT THE WORLD'S RICHEST NATION IS UNWILLING -- THOUGH CERTAINLY NOT UNABLE -- TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS IS A NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT AND AN INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL LIABILITY THAT UNDERCUTS AMERICAN INFLUENCE. /// OPT