Voice of America, 98-04-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] BOSNIA - FRANCE - L (CQ) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

[02] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

[03] EURO:IMPACT ON AMERICA BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

[04] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

[05] GERMANY / EURO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

[06] KOSOVO RALLY (L ONLY) BY AUSTIN MERRILL (NEW YORK)

[07] NATO DEBATE: PREVIEW BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

[08] NY ECON WRAP (L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

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

[10] SERBIA-KOSOVO (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

[11] U-S / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

[12] YUGOSLAVIA / KOSOVO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

[01] BOSNIA - FRANCE - L (CQ) BY JIM RANDLE (PENTAGON)

INTRO: FRANCE SAYS ONE OF ITS ARMY OFFICERS MET SECRETLY WITH FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER RADOVAN KARADZIC, BUT FRENCH OFFICIALS DENY THAT MR. KARADZIC WAS TIPPED OFF ABOUT A PLAN TO ARREST HIM TO FACE WAR-CRIMES CHARGES. NEWSPAPERS IN THE UNITED STATES (THE WASHINGTON POST AND THE NEW YORK TIMES) SAY THE INCIDENT WEAKENED COOPERATION BETWEEN U-S AND FRENCH MILITARY OFFICIALS. V-O-A'S JIM RANDLE HAS MORE FROM THE PENTAGON.

TEXT: OFFICIALS AT THE WHITE HOUSE, STATE DEPARTMENT AND PENTAGON DODGED A FLURRY OF REPORTERS' QUESTIONS ABOUT THE INCIDENT. PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON CALLED THE REPORT "AN INTELLIGENCE MATTER" AND WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING MORE ABOUT IT. IN GENERAL, HE SAYS FRANCE HAS MADE A STRONG CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE IN BOSNIA. MEANTIME, PUBLISHED REPORTS SAY U-S AND ALLIED MILITARY FORCES ABRUPTLY CANCELLED PLANS TO ARREST RADOVAN KARADZIC, THE FORMER BOSNIAN SERB LEADER WHO HAS BEEN FORMALLY ACCUSED OF COMMITING WAR CRIMES. NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS SAY THE MISSION WAS CALLED OFF WHEN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS DISCOVERED SOME MEETINGS BETWEEN MR. KRAADZIC AND A FRENCH ARMY MAJOR.

THE GOVERNMENT IN PARIS AND PENTAGON SPOKESMAN KEN BACON BOTH SAY IT IS PAST TIME TO BRING SUSPECTS TO TRIAL.

WE BELIEVE THAT KARADZIC SHOULD BE IN THE HAGUE, SHOULD BE TRIED, ON THE CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT AGAINST HIM. WE BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE OF HIM AND WE BELIEVE THAT IS TRUE OF EVERY INDICTED WAR CRIMINAL WHO IS STILL AT LARGE.

MR. BACON SAYS SECRETARY WILLIAM COHEN CONSULTED WITH THE TOP U-S OFFICER IN EUROPE AND THE FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER BY PHONE THURSDAY, BUT WOULD NOT CONFIRM THAT THE CONVERSATIONS HAD TO DO WITH ATTEMPTS TO ARREST ACCUSED WAR CRIMES SUSPECTS. THE TWO MINISTERS WILL GET A CHANCE TO SPEAK FACE TO FACE ON THESE MATTERS NEXT WEEK, WHEN FRENCH DEFENSE MINISTER ALAIN RICHARD IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON FOR TALKS AT THE PENTAGON AND ELSEWHERE. (SIGNED).
NEB/WTW
24-Apr-98 1:34 AM EDT (0534 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[02] EURO STOCKS (S-ONLY) BY PAUL FRANCUCH (LONDON)

INTRO: THE MAJOR STOCK MARKETS OF WESTERN EUROPE FRIDAY ALL ENDED THE WEEK LOWER. FOR THOSE CLOSING FIGURES, HERE IS V-O-A'S PAUL FRANCUCH IN LONDON.

TEXT: PROFIT-TAKING AND DECLINES IN THE FINANCIAL SECTOR DROVE PRICES DOWN ON ALL WEST EUROPEAN BOURSES, INCLUDING THE SMALLER MARKETS IN AMSTERDAM, MADRID, MILAN AND ZURICH. MILAN LOST FOUR PERCENT IN VALUE FOR THE DAY.

ON THE BIG EXCHANGES, THE ALL-DAY ELECTRONIC TRADING ON THE FRANKFURT "DAX" INDEX ENDED DOWN 118 POINTS -- A TWO-AND-A-QUARTER PERCENT DECLINE. THE PARIS "CAC 40" INDEX WAS OFF ONE PERCENT -- OR DOWN 39 POINTS. HERE IN LONDON, THE "FINANCIAL TIMES" 100 INDEX FELL BY 34 POINTS -- THAT'S ABOUT A ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT VALUE DECLINE.

IN CURRENCIES, THE U-S DOLLAR LOST ABOUT A HALF CENT TO THE BRITISH POUND AND A HALF PFENNIGE TO THE DEUTSCHEMARK.

GOLD IN LONDON CLOSED UP ABOUT A HALF DOLLAR, AT 313-DOLLARS 15-CENTS AN OUNCE. (SIGNED)
NEB/PCF /MMK
24-Apr-98 1:31 PM EDT (1731 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[03] EURO:IMPACT ON AMERICA BY BARRY WOOD (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: U-S CENTRAL BANK GOVERNOR ALAN GREENSPAN SAYS THE PROJECT CREATING A SINGLE CURRENCY MAKES EUROPE RIGHT NOW ONE OF THE MOST INTRIGUING PLACES IN THE WORLD. AS PART OF OUR SERIES ON THE LAUNCH OF THE EURO, V-O-A'S BARRY WOOD CONSIDERS THE LIKELY IMPACT OF THE EURO ON THE UNITED STATES AND THE DOLLAR.

TEXT: THE 11 EURO COUNTRIES COMPRISE AN ECONOMY VERY NEARLY THE SIZE OF THE UNITED STATES. THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET WILL HAVE A POPULATION EVEN BIGGER THAN THE UNITED STATES (290 MILLION TO 260). BUT WILL THE EURO BE A CURRENCY EQUIVALENT TO THE U-S DOLLAR? IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY.

FROM THE BEGINNING, U-S POLICY MAKERS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF EUROPE'S EFFORTS TO CREATE A SINGLE CURRENCY. BUT MANY AMERICAN ECONOMISTS HAVE BEEN SKEPTICAL --AT FIRST, ABOUT WHETHER THE EURO WOULD ACTUALLY HAPPEN, AND NOW, ABOUT WHETHER A STRONG EURO MIGHT ERODE THE DOLLAR'S POSITION IN FINANCE AND TRADE. U-S TREASURY SECRETARY ROBERT RUBIN REBUTS THE CRITICS, ARGUING THAT THE DOLLAR'S SIGNIFICANCE IS UNRELATED TO THE EURO.

I'VE THOUGHT ALL ALONG THAT THE ULTIMATE QUESTION OF WHETHER MONETARY UNION IS GOOD OR BAD FOR EUROPE IS SOMETHING THAT THE EUROPEANS ARE BEST EQUIPPED TO JUDGE. AND THEY HAVE CLEARLY MADE A JUDGMENT THAT IT IS. I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE POSITION OF THE DOLLAR -- EITHER AS A RESERVE CURRENCY OR WITH RESPECT TO THE USE OF THE DOLLAR IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE. I THINK THE KEY WITH RESPECT TO THE DOLLAR IS SOMETHING RATHER DIFFERENT. AND THAT IS THE POLICY REGIME IN THIS COUNTRY. AND WHETHER THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO HAVE CONFIDENCE AS IT DOES TODAY IN THE POLICIES AND ECONOMY OF THIS COUNTRY.

MR. RUBIN IS CONFIDENT THAT THE DOLLAR WILL REMAIN THE PRINCIPAL CURRENCY OF TRADE. CURRENTLY, 50 PERCENT OF WORLD TRADE IS CONDUCTED IN DOLLARS EVEN THOUGH THE UNITED STATES ITSELF ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY 20 PERCENT OF TRADE. THE EURO COUNTRIES LIKEWISE ACCOUNT FOR 20 PERCENT OF WORLD TRADE.

JURGEN STARK IS GERMANY'S DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE EURO PREPARATIONS FOR FOUR YEARS. MR. STARK SAYS THE EURO IS NOT BEING SET UP AS A RIVAL TO THE DOLLAR.

LOOK, WE ARE NOT GOING TO CREATE A SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY IN ORDER TO COMPETE WITH THE U-S DOLLAR. IT IS NOT OUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE. WE ARE CREATING THE EURO BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL REASONS IN EUROPE: TO BRING FORWARD THE EUROPEAN INTEGRATION PROCESS. BUT, I'M PRETTY SURE, THAT, AS IT IS IN THE HANDS OF THE EUROPEANS, IF THEY ARE ABLE TO CREATE A STABLE AND STRONG CURRENCY, THEN IT WILL HAPPEN. MARKETS WILL REACT AND THEN, IT IS QUITE LIKELY, THAT THE EURO WILL COMPETE WITH THE DOLLAR. BUT THAT IS NOT THE POLITICAL TARGET.

THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE EURO. BIG U-S FIRMS OPERATING IN EUROPE HAVE LONG BEEN IMPATIENT WITH THE NEED TO HAVE MULTIPLE CURRENCIES IN A REGION SMALLER THAN THE UNITED STATES. THEY SEE CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS IN THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS. LIKEWISE, AMERICAN TRAVELERS ARE LIKELY TO BE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE EURO AS SOON (2002 OR EARLIER) THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO CHANGE MONEY WHEN CROSSING FROM ONE EURO COUNTRY TO ANOTHER. (SIGNED)
NEB/BDW/JO
24-Apr-98 5:33 PM EDT (2133 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[04] FRIDAY'S EDITORIALS BY ANDREW N. GUTHRIE (WASHINGTON)

INTRO: AS THE WORK WEEK COMES TO AN END IN THE UNITED STATES, THE PRESS IS COMMENTING ON THE DEATH THURSDAY OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER MARTIN LUTHER KING'S ASSASSIN, JAMES EARL RAY. OTHER TOPICS UNDER PUBLIC SCRUTINY INCLUDE: THE DEBATE ON EXPANDING NATO; THE ETHNIC CAULDRON THAT IS KOSOVO PROVINCE; DEALING -- OR NOT DEALING -- WITH BOSNIAN WAR CRIMINALS; THE ARMENIAN MASSACRE REMEMBERED; /// OPT /// PROTECTING THE SECRET SERVICE FROM PRYING BY THE WHITEWATER COUNSEL; /// END OPT /// AND THE WRESTLING AT THE KREMLIN OVER A NEW RUSSIAN PRIME MINISTER. NOW, HERE IS _______________ WITH A SAMPLING OF QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.

TEXT: SEVERAL PAPERS ARE COMMENTING THAT JAMES EARL RAY CARRIES WITH HIM TO THE GRAVE MANY SECRETS REGARDING THE DEATH OF THE FAMED CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER -- SPECIFICALLY WAS THERE A CONSPIRACY, AND WERE THERE OTHERS WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN CAUGHT INVOLVED WITH THE SLAYING? "THE DAILY NEWS" IN NEW YORK COMMENTS:

VOICE: JAMES EARL RAY IS DEAD, BUT THE MYSTERY OF HIS ROLE IN THE SLAYING OF ..... MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR LIVES ON. AND SO IT WILL BE ALWAYS IF THE MATTER IS INTERRED WITH RAY'S BONES. EARLIER THIS MONTH, [REVEREND] KING'S WIDOW, CORETTA SCOTT KING, BESEECHED PRESIDENT CLINTON TO APPOINT A COMMISSION TO REINVESTIGATE THE MURDER. RAY'S DEATH MUST NOT NULLIFY HER REQUEST. ONLY A FED [FEDERAL] PROBE CAN PUT TO REST THIS PAINFUL CHAPTER IN HISTORY.

TEXT: IN BALTIMORE, "THE SUN" ALSO LAMENTS HIS PASSING FOR SIMILAR REASONS.

VOICE: HE SLEW THE DREAMER. OR SO IT WAS SAID OF JAMES EARL RAY, CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE 1968 SLAYING OF ..... MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR. BUT RAY, WHO DIED A PRISONER YESTERDAY AFTER YEARS OF SUFFERING FROM HEPATITIS, CLAIMED HE WASN'T THE ONE. HE CONFESSED TO THE CRIME TO AVOID CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, BUT WITHIN DAYS RECANTED NONETHELESS,NO TRIAL OCCURRED. THE DEATH OF RAY PROBABLY MEANS THE QUESTIONS HE CONTINUED TO RAISE ABOUT DR. KING'S DEATH WILL NEVER BE ANSWERED.

TEXT: IN FLORIDA, "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS MARTIN LUTHER KING'S KILLING IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS BEEN LEFT IN A FACTUAL LIMBO.

VOICE: THERE'S SIMPLY NO SENSE OF CLOSURE ON THIS DREADFUL KILLING, JUST AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN ON SEVERAL OTHER CIVIL-RIGHTS ASSASSINATIONS. /// OPT /// THE MURDERER OF MEDGAR EVERS IN 1963 WAS NOT CONVICTED UNTIL 1994. SMALL WONDER THAT THE KING FAMILY CAME TO QUESTION JAMES EARL RAY'S GUILT. DR. KING, AND OTHERS WHO HAVE DIED AT THE HANDS OF COWARDS, BUILT AND LEFT A LEGACY OF LANDMARK LEGISLATION, SECURING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. IT IS TRAGIC THAT DR. KING DIED WITH SO MUCH LEFT TO DO. AND IT IS REPUGNANT THAT HIS NAME IS FOREVER TIED TO THAT OF A SMALL-TIME THUG WHO SOMEHOW, SOME WAY, FOUND THE MEANS TO MURDER HIM.

TEXT: NATO ENLARGEMENT CONTINUES TO BE DEBATED IN THE PRESS AS THE SENATE HAS DELAYED A VOTE ON THE TOPIC. TWO VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE NOW, FIRST FROM "THE WASHINGTON TIMES."

VOICE: THE SENATE WILL, AT LAST, TAKE UP THE DEBATE OVER NATO ENLARGEMENT NEXT WEEK, WITH A VIEW TO VOTING WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY ON THE ADMISSION OF POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO THE ATLANTIC ALLIANCE. NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT DELAYED THE VOTE ONCE TO ACCOMMODATE THE CONCERNS OF THOSE AMONG HIS COLLEAGUES WHO HAD COME LATE TO THE DISCUSSION OF THE SUBJECT ....... THE CASE FOR NATO ENLARGEMENT SIMPLY MAKES MORE SENSE THAN THE CASE AGAINST IT. LET'S VOTE.

TEXT: ON THE OTHER HAND, "THE NEW YORK TIMES", WHICH OPPOSES THE MOVE, IS UPSET AT THE SHALLOWNESS OF THE DEBATE SO FAR AND OF THE AMOUNT OF RESEARCH ON BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION.

VOICE: THE SENATE HAS BETRAYED ITS OBLIGATIONS WITH ITS PITIFUL PERFORMANCE ON NATO EXPANSION. INSTEAD OF ILLUMINATING THE COMPLEX ISSUES INVOLVED IN EXTENDING THE ALLIANCE EASTWARD, AND WEIGHING THE POTENTIALLY GRAVE CONSEQUENCES, THE SENATE HAS TREATED THE MATTER AS A LEGISLATIVE AFTERTHOUGHT.... THE WHITE HOUSE HAS PROVIDED NO MILITARY RATIONALE FOR EXPANDING NATO EASTWARD WHILE EUROPE IS AT PEACE AND DEMOCRACY AND FREE MARKETS ARE TAKING ROOT IN RUSSIA. .....ASTONISHINGLY, THE SENATE IS BEING ASKED TO APPROVE ALL THIS WITHOUT EVEN THE MOST BASIC ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL THREATS IN EUROPE OR A DESCRIPTION OF HOW EXPANSION IS LIKELY TO AFFECT AMERICAN MILITARY FORCES.

TEXT: TURNING TO YUGOSLOVIA'S SIMMERING ETHNIC TROUBLE-SPOT OF KOSOVO PROVINCE, "THE LOS ANGELES TIMES" WORRIES ABOUT THE RESULTS OF WHAT IT CONSIDERS A PRE-ORDAINED THURSDAY'S ELECTION.

VOICE: THE VOTING WILL REJECT INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION ON THE FATE OF KOSOVO AND PUT A FINAL STAMP ON THE FUTURE OF THE PROVINCE AND ITS PEOPLE. THEY WILL REMAIN YUGOSLAVS..... THE WESTERN POWERS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING A MEASURE OF AUTONOMY IN KOSOVO ... BUT [YUGOSLOVIAN PRESIDENT SLOBODAN] MILOSEVIC IS HAVING NONE OF IT. HIS GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO INSIST THAT NEIGHBORING ALBANIA PRESENTS A THREAT TO HIS RULE, AS ETHNIC ALBANIANS OUTNUMBER SERBS NINE TO ONE IN KOSOVO.

TEXT: TODAY'S "WASHINGTON POST" AGAIN CALLS FOR NATO TROOPS TO ROUND UP THE TOP WAR CRIMINALS IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA, INCLUDING RADOVAN KARADZIC, AND IT CRITICIZES THE FRENCH MILITARY FOR ALLOWING AN OFFICER THERE TO COMPROMISE A TRAP SET FOR HIM LAST YEAR, AS REPORTED THURSDAY.

VOICE: AS LONG AS THE WAR CRIMINALS OF BOSNIA ROAM FREE, RECOVERY FOR THAT WOUNDED NATION WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE. MANY MEN WHO LED CAMPAIGNS OF ETHNIC CLEANSING, MASS RAPE AND TORTURE REMAIN AT LARGE, A CONSTANT IMPEDIMENT TO THOSE ... NOW ... WORKING TOWARD DEMOCRACY AND TOLERANCE..... THE ENTIRE NATO CONTINGENT, INCLUDING ITS U-S COMPONENT, HAS BEEN TOO HESITANT IN PURSUING ALLEGED WAR CRIMINALS. BUT IN RECENT MONTHS, U-S, DUTCH AND BRITISH FORCES HAVE RECORDED SOME SIGNIFICANT SUCCESSES -- AND NONE OF THEIR FORCES COULD BE ACCUSED OF ACTIVELY HELPING WAR CRIMINALS ESCAPE. THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT POLICY IT HAS BEEN PURSUING.

TEXT: THIS IS A SOMBER DAY FOR ARMENIANS, REMEMBERING THE 1915 MASSACRE OF THEIR PEOPLE BY TURKISH FORCES. TODAY'S "BOSTON GLOBE" COMPARES THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AFTERMATH OF THE HOLOCAUST AGAINST THE JEWS -- AND GERMANY'S REACTION TO IT -- WITH THE ARMENIAN-TURKISH HISTORY, NOTING:

VOICE: IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO COMPARE THE EXTENT OF THE TWO TRAGEDIES TO MAINTAIN THAT ARMENIANS ARE STILL, AFTER SO MANY YEARS, LOOKING FOR A RESOLUTION AND AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT CAN HELP THEM PASS THROUGH THE MOURNING PROCESS. MODERN TURKEY BEARS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DARK EVENTS THAT CAME IN THE CLOSING YEARS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE. BUT TURKEY COULD DO A GREAT SERVICE IF AN INTERNATIONAL HISTORICAL TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION WERE ESTABLISHED WITH FREE ACCESS TO ALL THE RECORDS -- SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF THE COMMISSIONS .... DELVING INTO THE ROLE OF SWISS BANKERS DURING WORLD WAR TWO. THE WORLD NEEDS TO FACE UP TO THE MASSACRES THAT SO DEVASTATED THE ARMENIAN POPULATION.

TEXT: DOMESTICALLY, "THE ATLANTA CONSTITUTION" IS SUGGESTING THAT IT WOULD BE A BAD THING IF WHITE HOUSE SECRET SERVICE AGENTS ARE FORCED TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE WHITEWATER GRAND JURY, ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S PRIVATE CONDUCT IN HIS OFFICIAL HOME, AS KENNETH STARR HAS REQUESTED.

VOICE: THEY [THE AGENTS WHO PROTECT THE PRESIDENT] MUST NOT .... BECAME LIKE FLIES ON THE WHITE HOUSE WALLS, ABLE TO OBSERVE PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING A CHIEF EXECUTIVE DOES AND AVAILABLE TO TESTIFY .... IF HIS ACTIONS WERE EVER BROUGHT INTO SERIOUS QUESTION. TO BE PUT INTO THAT POSITION WOULD SNAP AN ESSENTIAL BOND OF TRUST BETWEEN THEM AND THE PRESIDENT AND PERMANENTLY HINDER THEIR MISSION OF GUARDING THE PRESIDENT'S LIFE.

TEXT: LASTLY, "THE WASHINGTON TIMES" TAKES A WRY LOOK AT THE POLITICAL TUG OF WAR GOING ON IN MOSCOW OVER THE FATE OF SERGEI KIRIYENKO, THE NEW PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE.

VOICE: TODAY, MOSCOW WILL GET THE FINALE IN THE LATEST ACT IN THE KABUKI DRAMA THAT IS THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT. FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT WILL VOTE ON THE NEW PRIME MINISTER CHOSEN BY PRESIDENT YELTSIN FOLLOWING THE SHAKEUP IN MARCH, WHICH SENT PRIME MINISTER VICTOR CHERNOMYRDIN INTO THE COLD. ... AS IN OTHER PREVIOUS FIGHTS ..... MR. YELTSIN HAS CHALLENGED THE DUMA [THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT] TO DEFY HIM, AND IT HAS, UP TO A POINT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT ... THE DUMA CAN BE DISMISSED AND ELECTIONS CALLED IF IT VOTES AGAINST THE PRESIDENT'S CANDIDATE ... A THIRD TIME. THAT'S USUALLY A VERY GOOD INCENTIVE FOR THE DUMA TO CHANGE ITS MIND .....

TEXT: ON THAT NOTE, WE CONCLUDE THIS SAMPLING OF COMMENTS FROM SOME OF THE DAY'S EDITORIALS IN THE U-S PRESS. NEB/ANG/ MMK
24-Apr-98 12:00 PM EDT (1600 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[05] GERMANY / EURO (L ONLY) BY KYLE KING (BONN)

INTRO: THE UPPER HOUSE OF THE GERMAN PARLIAMENT FRIDAY GAVE FINAL APPROVAL FOR THE COUNTRY TO TAKE PART IN THE NEW SINGLE EUROPEAN CURRENCY. FROM BONN, VOA'S KYLE KING REPORTS.

TEXT: THE VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE NEW EUROPEAN CURRENCY -- CALLED THE "EURO" -- CAME JUST ONE DAY AFTER THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT RESOUNDINGLY APPROVED THE PLAN.

ALL BUT ONE OF THE 16 STATE GOVERNORS REPRESENTED IN THE UPPER HOUSE VOTED FOR THE NEW CURRENCY, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCE IN JANUARY OF 1999.

SPEAKING TO THE UPPER HOUSE BEFORE THE HISTORIC VOTE, CHANCELLOR HELMUT KOHL SAID THE NEW CURRENCY WOULD SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR THE POLITICAL INTEGRATION OF EUROPE.

THE ONE GOVERNOR WHO VOTED AGAINST THE NEW CURRENCY, KURT BIEDENKOPF OF THE EASTERN STATE SAXONY, SAID EUROPE WAS NOT READY FOR THE PROJECT -- A SENTIMENT ECHOED BY MANY ORDINARY GERMANS WHO DO NOT WANT TO GIVE UP THEIR BELOVED DEUTSCHMARK.

BUT EVEN MR. KOHL'S OPPONENTS IN PARLIAMENT VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE PLAN, DESPITE RESERVATIONS ABOUT THE STABILITY OF THE NEW CURRENCY AND THE HIGH DEBTS OF SOME COUNTRIES, LIKE ITALY AND BELGIUM. NEXT WEEK, EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS WILL MEET IN BRUSSELS TO DECIDE WHICH COUNTRIES WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST TO SIGN UP FOR THE EURO, WHICH SOME ANALYSTS SAY MAY EVENTUALLY RIVAL THE U-S DOLLAR AS THE PREFERRED MAJOR INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED 11 NATIONS BE AMONG THE FIRST WAVE OF PARTICIPANTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/KBK/PCF
24-Apr-98 10:22 AM EDT (1422 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[06] KOSOVO RALLY (L ONLY) BY AUSTIN MERRILL (NEW YORK)

INTRO: CHANTING AND SINGING FOR PEACE, ALBANIAN AMERICANS HELD A RALLY IN NEW YORK CITY TODAY (FRIDAY) TO PROTEST WHAT THEY CALL SERBIAN AGGRESSION IN KOSOVO. VOA'S AUSTIN MERRILL HAS THE STORY.

TEXT: /// MUSIC ACTUALITY ("GIVE PEACE A CHANCE") ///

WITH A RECORDING OF A SONG FOR PEACE PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND, ABOUT 400 PEOPLE GATHERED ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE UNITED NATIONS BUILDING TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

WAVING BANNERS AND BRANDISHING WHITE RIBBONS ON THEIR SLEEVES, THE CROWD WAS MADE UP OF MOSTLY ALBANIAN AND ALBANIAN AMERICAN MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, AND WAS ORGANIZED BY THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN STUDENT ORGANIZATION. ARTA HAXHAJ (HAH-JAI) IS A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE GROUP.

WE ARE HERE DEMONSTRATING TODAY TO DEMAND THAT THE UNITED NATIONS, THE EUROPEAN UNION, THE UNITED STATES AND THE REST OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TOGETHER INTERVENE TO STOP THE BLOODSHED AND THE GENOCIDE THAT'S GOING ON IN KOSOVA.

VIOLENCE HAS ESCALATED IN KOSOVO IN RECENT MONTHS, AND ALBANIAN OFFICIALS SAY THAT MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND REFUGEES HAVE CROSSED THE BORDER FROM KOSOVO INTO ALBANIA SINCE THURSDAY.

BLERON BARALIU (BLARE-UN BARAL-YOO) IS PRESIDENT OF THE ALBANIAN AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION. HE SAID HE HOPES THE RALLY WILL DEMONSTRATE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THE DETERMINATION OF THE CITIZENS OF KOSOVO.

IT IS TO LET THE UNITED NATIONS KNOW THAT WE WILL NOT BE SILENT. WE ARE DETERMINED TO SEND OUR MESSAGE THROUGH UNTIL THE LAST DROP OF OUR BLOOD. WE'LL SACRIFICE WHATEVER IT TAKES. WE ARE KNOWN FOR CHOOSING PEACEFUL MEANS, YET WHEN THE ENEMIES WILL ATTACK OUR DOORS, YOU KNOW WE'LL HAVE TO DEFEND OURSELVES. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT SOME ALBANIANS ARE DOING IN KOSOVA, THEY ARE EVACUATING CHILDREN AND THEY'RE AT THEIR HOME, AND WHEN THE TERRORISTS, THE SERBIAN TERRORISTS ATTACK THEM THEY'RE JUST DEFENDING.

SERBIAN OFFICIALS SAY VOTERS IN A REFERENDUM ON THURSDAY OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED FOREIGN MEDIATION IN TALKS ON ENDING THE VIOLENCE. PARTICIPANTS IN THE NEW YORK RALLY CALLED FOR EXACTLY SUCH INTERNATIONAL INTERVENTION.

WE ARE HERE FOR A FREE KOSOVA, WHICH MEANS AN INDEPENDENT KOSOVA, AND NOTHING LESS. FREE KOSOVA! FREE KOSOVA! FREE KOSOVA! FREE KOSOVA! FREE KOSOVA! FREE KOSOVA!

A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN IN WASHINGTON DESCRIBED THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO AS TROUBLING AND DANGEROUS AND URGED SERBIAN LEADERS TO ENGAGE IN DIALOGUE WITH KOSOVO ALBANIANS. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/SAM/LSF
24-Apr-98 5:04 PM EDT (2104 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[07] NATO DEBATE: PREVIEW BY DAVID SWAN (CAPITOL HILL)

INTRO: NEXT WEEK, THE U-S SENATE SHOULD FINISH DEBATING AND VOTE ON THE EASTWARD EXPANSION OF NATO, TO BRING IN POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY. THE IDEA HAS SUPPORT, AND OPPOSITION, FROM MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS ON WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE AN INTENSE FEW DAYS OF DEBATE.

TEXT: THE SENATE TOOK UP THE ISSUE WEEKS AGO BUT WAS SIDETRACKED FIRST BY DISPUTES OVER ANOTHER, UNRELATED BILL, THEN BY A HOLIDAY RECESS. THE LAWMAKERS WERE CRITICIZED FOR HOLDING A FITFUL, OFF-AND-ON DEBATE ON SUCH A HISTORIC ISSUE. THIS TIME, REPUBLICAN LEADER TRENT LOTT HAS PROMISED AN ORDERLY PROCESS.

PERHAPS AS MANY AS TWO OR THREE DAYS WHERE NOTHING ELSE IS DONE BUT NATO ENLARGEMENT. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT ANY DISTRACTIONS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE DEBATED ALL THE ISSUES AND EVERY SENATOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE HIS OR HER CASE FOR OR AGAINST NATO ENLARGEMENT.

WHILE THE CASE FOR ENLARGEMENT IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO PREVAIL, THE OTHER SIDE IS NOT CONCEDING DEFEAT. THE OPPONENTS HAVE FORMED A COALITION AND LAUNCHED A LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO DERAIL EXPANSION. THE GROUP IS MADE UP LARGELY OF SENATORS, RETIRED DIPLOMATS AND FOREIGN POLICY EXPERTS. BUT IT ALSO INCLUDES BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AND ACTIVISTS FROM BOTH ENDS OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM, INCLUDING LONGTIME CONSERVATIVE LEADER PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY.

I HOPE THAT SENATORS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THE MAP OF THE NEW BORDERS THAT WE'RE BEING CALLED UPON TO DEFEND. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT TO SEND THEIR SONS AND GRANDSONS AND DAUGHTERS OUT TO DEFEND ALL OF THESE LONG, NEW BORDERS THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND.

IN TELEVISION COMMERCIALS AND FULL-PAGE NEWSPAPER ADS, THE COALITION WARNS AMERICANS THAT EXPANDING NATO WILL DO LITTLE EXCEPT SCARE THE RUSSIANS. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR PAUL WELLSTONE SUGGESTS THE ISSUE IS ALREADY JEOPARDIZING THE START-TWO NUCLEAR ARMS REDUCTION TREATY.

I THINK IT NEEDLESSLY RISKS POISONING RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. IT'S ALREADY HURTING OUR TIES WITH RUSSIA AND ALL YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IS THE STALLING OF THE START-TWO AGREEMENT IN THE DUMA (RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT).

OPPONENTS ALSO QUESTION THE COST OF THE PROCESS, WHICH THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS WILL BE ABOUT 400-MILLION DOLLARS AND CRITICS CHARGE WILL BE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HIGHER.

THE ANTI-EXPANSION FORCES SAY THEY ARE GAINING MOMENTUM BUT PRIVATELY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY ARE STILL WELL SHORT OF THE 34 VOTES THEY NEED TO BLOCK RATIFICATION. MEANWHILE, THE LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES ARE SUPPORTING THE ENLARGEMENT TREATY, INCLUDING REPUBLICAN SENATOR LOTT, WHO HAS BACKED THE IDEA SINCE LAST YEAR.

I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I THINK IT IS ENLARGING THE RING OF FREEDOM IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD. IT'S THE NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE VICTORY IN THE COLD WAR THAT WE HAD. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.

THE FOES OF THE TREATY WILL TRY TO AMEND IT ON THE SENATE FLOOR NEXT WEEK. THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL WOULD PLACE A THREE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON ANY NEXT ROUND OF EXPANSION. ITS SPONSORS SAY THE ALLIANCE SHOULD TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THE FIRST PHASE OF ENLARGEMENT BEFORE STARTING A SECOND. THE AMENDMENT'S OPPONENTS SAY NATO SHOULD KEEP ITS DOORS OPEN - AND THERE WILL PROBABLY BE A DE FACTO PAUSE IN EXPANSION ANYWAY.

EVEN SOME SUPPORTERS OF ENLARGEMENT ARE INCLINED TO MOVE CAUTIOUSLY ON ITS NEXT PHASE. REPUBLICAN SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK SAYS IT IS TOO SOON TO THINK ABOUT ADMITTING SOME OF THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS.

WELL, I'M NOT NEAR TO THE POINT OF SAYING WE SHOULD PUT FORWARD A SECURITY UMBRELLA IN CENTRAL ASIA OR THE CAUCASUS. THAT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, FOR CONSIDERATION WAY DOWN THE ROAD.

THOUGH THE SENATE IS SOMETIMES UNPREDICTABLE, IT IS EXPECTED TO ENDORSE THE EXPANSION PLAN. SENATE LEADERS HOPE TO FINISH ALL DEBATE AND VOTE ON THE TREATY WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/KL
24-Apr-98 12:36 PM EDT (1636 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[08] NY ECON WRAP (L) BY JOE CHAPMAN (NEW YORK)

INTRO: AMERICAN STOCK PRICES SOLD OFF SHARPLY TODAY (FRIDAY) IN A VOLATILE TRADING SESSION. VOA'S JOE CHAPMAN HAS THIS REPORT FROM NEW YORK.

TEXT: THE WIDELY FOLLOWED DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE FELL 79 POINTS, JUST UNDER ONE PERCENT, TO NINE-THOUSAND-65. THE MORE REPRESENTATIVE STANDARD-AND-POOR 500 INDEX WAS OFF 12 POINTS TO CLOSE AT 11-HUNDRED-EIGHT. FOR THE WEEK, THE DOW-JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE CLOSED DOWN 103 POINTS OR JUST OVER ONE PERCENT.

ANALYSTS SAY PROFIT TAKING PULLED STOCK PRICES DOWN IN A VOLATILE TRADING DAY. PRICES MOVED UP AND DOWN RAPIDLY BEFORE AN ORDERLY SELLOFF GAINED MOMENTUM IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION.

ANALYSTS SAY INVESTORS ARE CONCERNED NOT ONLY ABOUT THE HIGH LEVEL OF U-S STOCK PRICES, BUT ALSO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PLANS FOR STIMULATING THE JAPANESE DOMESTIC ECONOMY. THERE IS ALSO SPECULATION THAT THE U-S CENTRAL BANK MAY DECIDE NEXT MONTH TO INCREASE INTEREST RATES SLIGHTLY IN AN EFFORT TO DAMPEN JUST SLIGHTLY THE BOOMING AMERICAN ECONOMY, TO PREVENT INFLATION.

NEARLY ALL OF THE 30 STOCKS IN THE DOW-JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE WERE DOWN FOR THE DAY, BUT THE HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPUTER COMPANY WAS UP MORE THAN 10 PERCENT AFTER A MAJOR INVESTMENT FIRM RECOMMENDED ITS PURCHASE.

DELL COMPUTER, WHICH IS TRADED ON THE NASDAQ EXCHANGE, WAS UP MORE THAN SIX PERCENT ON STRONG FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS.

ONE SENIOR WALL STREET ANALYST, ROBERT FROELICH, SAYS THE SHARP GAINS IN STOCK PRICES EARLIER IN THE YEAR MAKE IT UNLIKELY INVESTORS CAN MAKE GOOD PROFITS IN THE SHORT TERM.

INVESTORS NEED TO REALIZE THE MARKET GOT A LITTLE IN FRONT OF ITSELF AND WE'RE IN FOR SOME VERY CHOPPY TIMES, I THINK, FOR THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

TRANSPORTATION STOCKS FELL OFF SHARPLY AFTER DELTA AIRLINES AND UNITED AIRLINES SAID THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT SO FAR ON A MARKETING ALLIANCE. THE DOW-JONES TRANSPORTATION INDEX WAS OFF NEARLY TWO PERCENT. (SIGNED)
NEB/NY/JMC/LSF
24-Apr-98 4:44 PM EDT (2044 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE IS POISED FOR A FINAL DEBATE ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY INTO NATO. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE LAWMAKERS WILL SPEND MUCH OF THIS WEEK ON THE ISSUE.

TEXT: MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT HAS PROMISED TO HOLD A FOCUSED, AND VIRTUALLY UNINTERRUPTED DEBATE ON WHETHER TO RATIFY NATO'S EASTWARD EXPANSION.

I PERSONALLY SUPPORT IT. I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I THINK IT IS ENLARGING THE RING OF FREEDOM IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD. IT IS THE NATURAL EXTENSION OF THE VICTORY OF THE COLD WAR THAT WE HAD.

BUT OPPONENTS ARE NOT GIVING UP. REPUBLICAN SENATOR BOB SMITH WARNS ENLARGING NATO WOULD ONLY ANTAGONIZE RUSSIA, FOR NO GOOD REASON.

THERE'S NO URGENCY HERE. WE OUGHT TO MOVE SLOWLY AND NOT QUICKLY AND I DON'T BELIEVE THIS MAKES ANY SENSE WHATSOEVER TO EXPAND AT THIS POINT.

THE SENATE IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO APPROVE THE PLAN, ALTHOUGH THE ANTI-ENLARGEMENT FORCES SAY THEY ARE GAINING MOMENTUM. THE DECISIVE VOTE COULD COME AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/JO
24-Apr-98 3:09 PM EDT (1909 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[10] SERBIA-KOSOVO (L) BY ART CHIMES (PRAGUE)

INTRO: SERBIA SAYS ITS FORCES HAVE KILLED AS MANY AS 23 INFILTRATORS FROM ALBANIAN IN A BATTLE WITH GUERRILLA FIGHTERS. MEANWHILE, VOTERS IN SERBIA APPEAR TO HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY ENDORSED THEIR GOVERNMENT'S POSITION AGAINST INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION ON THE KOSOVO DISPUTE. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IS FOLLOWING THE STORY FROM OUR BUREAU IN PRAGUE.

TEXT: SERB SOURCES SAY TROOPS STOPPED 200 GUERRILLAS ATTEMPTING TO CROSS THE BORDER FROM ALBANIA. THE SOURCES SAY THE FIGHTERS WERE BELIEVED TO BE ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO WHO HAD BEEN TRAINING IN ALBANIA.

THE CLASH EARLY THURSDAY MORNING WAS THE DEADLIEST FIGHTING IN SERBIA'S TROUBLED KOSOVO PROVINCE SINCE A CRACKDOWN LAST MONTH ON SUSPECTED HIDEOUTS OF THE SEPARATIST "KOSOVO LIBERATION ARMY."

THE LATEST VIOLENCE CASTS A SHADOW OVER DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS TO WIN A PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE DISPUTE IN KOSOVO, WHERE THE 90-PERCENT ETHNIC ALBANIAN MAJORITY WANTS INDEPENDENCE. SERBIA REGARDS KOSOVO AS THE HISTORIC HEARTLAND OF THE SERBIAN PEOPLE AND SAYS THE PROVINCE MUST STAY AS IT IS. SERBIA HAS OFFERED TO NEGOTIATE ON INCREASED AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVO, BUT KOSOVO'S MODERATE ALBANIAN LEADERSHIP SAYS ANY TALKS MUST HAVE INTERNATIONAL MEDIATION.

IN A REFERENDUM THURSDAY, SERBIAN VOTERS APPEAR TO HAVE BACKED YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC, WHO INSISTS KOSOVO IS AN INTERNAL MATTER WITH NO NEED FOR FOREIGN MEDIATION.

THE VOTE CAME ONE DAY BEFORE A DEADLINE SET BY DIPLOMATS FROM EUROPE, RUSSIA AND AMERICA -- KNOWN AS THE "CONTACT GROUP" -- TO BEGIN TALKS WITH KOSOVO'S ALBANIANS. THE CONTACT GROUP WILL MEET IN ROME NEXT WEDNESDAY TO DECIDE ON POSSIBLE SANCTIONS. (SIGNED)
NEB/ART/PCF
24-Apr-98 7:56 AM EDT (1156 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[11] U-S / KOSOVO (S) BY RON PEMSTEIN (STATE DEPARTMENT)

INTRO: THE UNITED STATES IS WARNING YUGOSLAVIA THAT THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND THE STATUS QUO CANNOT CONTINUE. RON PEMSTEIN REPORTS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT, THE UNITED STATES INTENDS TO PUSH FOR ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO PUNISH THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT.

TEXT: DESPITE THE RELUCTANCE OF RUSSIA TO TAKE ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA, THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO ASK ITS PARTNERS IN THE SIX-NATION CONTACT GROUP TO INVOKE A FREEZE ON YUGOSLAV BANK ACCOUNTS ABROAD. POLITICAL DIRECTORS OF THE GROUP MEET IN ROME NEXT WEEK.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS YUGOSLAV PRESIDENT SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC HAS FAILED TO WITHDRAW SPECIAL POLICE FROM KOSOVO OR TO BEGIN A POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH THE PROVINCE'S ALBANIAN LEADERS. THE CONTACT GROUP HAS DEMANDED BOTH ACTIONS.

SPOKESMAN JAMES RUBIN SAYS THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO HAS BECOME MORE DANGEROUS.

THE SITUATION IN KOSOVO IS QUITE TROUBLING, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE BELIEVE THE YUGOSLAV NATIONAL ARMY HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN A FIREFIGHT ALONG THE ALBANIAN BORDER WITH MYRIAD DEATHS INVOLVED.

THE SPOKESMAN SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL WORK WITH ITS ALLIES TO MAKE PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC UNDERSTAND THAT HIS CURRENT COURSE CAN ONLY LEAD TO MORE ISOLATION FOR HIS COUNTRY. (SIGNED)
NEB/RP/RRM
24-Apr-98 4:18 PM EDT (2018 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

[12] YUGOSLAVIA / KOSOVO (L - ONLY) BY MAX RUSTON (UNITED NATIONS)

INTRO: YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS HAS DEFENDED (FRIDAY) HIS COUNTRY'S REFERENDUM -- IN WHICH VOTERS REJECTED U-N INTERVENTION IN THE TROUBLED ETHNIC ALBANIAN PROVINCE OF KOSOVO . V-O-A'S MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM U-N HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK.

TEXT: GERMAN OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY DISMISSED THE REFERENDUM AS A TACTICAL MANEUVER BY THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT TO AVOID TALKS WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS. OFFICIALS OF OTHER EUROPEAN GOVERNMENTS HAVE INDICATED THEY WILL NOT LET THE REFERENDUM RESULTS STAND IN THE WAY OF MEASURES AIMED AT REDUCING VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO.

BUT YUGOSLAVIA'S AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, VLADISLAV JAVANOVIC, SAYS THE REFERENDUM RESULTS ARE CLEAR AND MEANINGFUL IN REJECTING WHAT HE CALLS UNITED NATIONS INTERFERENCE IN HIS COUNTRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

THE RESULTS ARE NOT ENTIRELY KNOWN, BUT THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS SAY THAT AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION PARTICIPATED IN THE REFERENDUM AND BACKED THE POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESERVING THE SOVEREIGNTY AND INDEPENDENCE OF SERBIA AND YUGOSLAVIA IN DEALING WITH ITS INTERNAL MATTERS INCLUDING THE MATTER OF KOSOVO.

THE REFERENDUM WAS ORGANIZED IN RESPONSE TO A UNITED NATIONS ARMS EMBARGO IMPOSED ON YUGOSLAVIA FOUR WEEKS AGO. THE U-N SECURITY COUNCIL IMPOSED THE EMBARGO IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE VIOLENCE BETWEEN YUGOSLAV AUTHORITIES AND ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN KOSOVO PROVINCE.

YUGOSLAV OFFICIALS BLAME WHAT THEY CALL ALBANIAN TERRORISTS AND SEPARATISTS FOR THE CLASHES. ETHNIC ALBANIANS SAY YUGOSLAV SECURITY FORCES, MOTIVATED BY ETHNIC RIVALRY, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENCE. A STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN IN WASHINGTON CALLS THE SITUATION TROUBLING AND DANGEROUS. (SIGNED) NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/JO
24-Apr-98 5:40 PM EDT (2140 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America

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